BMW South Carolina Plant Produces 100,000th Roadster
30 October 1997
BMW South Carolina Plant Produces 100,000th Roadster
SPARTANBURG, S.C., Oct. 30 -- The 100,000th Z3 roadster
produced at the South Carolina BMW manufacturing facility will be presented to
its new owner during a celebration at the plant Saturday, November 1.
South Carolina Governor David Beasley and other state officials will join with
the nearly 2,000 BMW associates and their families to help commemorate the
day. Remarks by BMW executives from South Carolina and Germany will be made
during the celebration from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.
100,000th Customer Will Be At Celebration On Saturday
The highlight of the day will be the presentation of the 100,000th Z3
roadster to its new owner, Richard Medcalf from Great Britain. Mr. Medcalf
bought the Arctic Silver right-hand drive, 2.8-liter six-cylinder roadster as
a gift for his fiancee, Celia Knight, who will drive the car to their wedding
this summer. She will accompany Mr. Medcalf to the ceremony.
Richard Medcalf, the 100,000th customer, owns and manages a butcher shop
located on a 500-acre cattle ranch. He works seven days a week. Medcalf is
putting the butcher shop on hold for a few days to attend the November 1
celebration, but not without some arm-twisting. "My friends said it was a
chance of a lifetime and I'd be a fool to pass it up. Otherwise, I probably
would not be coming," he said. "I can't afford to be away very long. And my
fiancee wouldn't have forgiven me, either."
First Z3 Roadster Produced In September 1995
The Z3 is manufactured exclusively at the Spartanburg County plant for
worldwide distribution. Eight variations of the Z3 roadster are made, based
on engine size, transmission and driver position. The Z3 is exported to more
than 100 countries today. The first roadster rolled off the production line
September 20, 1995 and exportation to Europe began in December 1995. A year
later, the first right-hand drive Z3 was produced.
Production of the 6-cylinder Z3 began in the spring of 1997. The M
roadster, the motorsport, high-performance version of the Z3 started
production in January 1997.
The Z3 now comes with a choice of four engines with four or six cylinders
and power ranging from 85 kW/115 bhp all the way to 236 kW/321 bhp.
During the second half of 1998, the M coupe and Z3 coupe 2.8 will be
available in markets around the world. The second of the "M twins" will be a
two-seat hard-top, with distinctive styling and ample space behind the seats
that will set it apart from other production vehicles. The M coupe was first
introduced to the world at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1997.
Spartanburg Plant Represents $600 Million Investment.
The 1.2-million-square-foot plant represents a $600 million investment in
South Carolina. In February 1996, a $200 million plant expansion was
announced. The 350,000-square-foot expansion will allow capacity to grow from
300 units per day to 400. The expansion is expected to be operational by late
1999.
Five years ago, BMW broke ground on the Upstate plant. The first
production associates were hired in January 1994 and the first car, a 318i
sedan, rolled off the line September 8, 1994.
To date, nearly 2,000 associates have been hired. The plant operates two
shifts and currently produces 255 Z3s a day.
Before selecting the Upstate of South Carolina as the site for its first
full manufacturing facility outside of Germany, BMW examined more than 250
possible locations worldwide over a three and one-half year period.
Work Force Training Key To South Carolina Site Selection
South Carolina was selected as the site for several reasons, including an
available work force whose training was provided through a partnership with
the state of South Carolina; easily accessible transportation facilities,
including a deep-water port at Charleston; a major airport; modern rail and
road systems; and a pro-business government climate.
"Wherever I go around the world, the Z3 roadster is there representing the
pride and craftsmanship of the people of South Carolina," said Governor
Beasley.
This year, the BMW South Carolina plant will export nearly $1 billion in
automobiles to more than 100 countries. In America, the response to BMW's
outstanding quality, craftsmanship, and performance helped make the United
States one of the company's most important sales markets. In 1996, BMW sold
more than 100,000 automobiles and was the leading luxury import brand for the
second consecutive year.
Before the first Z3 roadster came off the line in September 1995, the
entire year's production was already sold out. The roadster became so
popular, BMW Manufacturing stopped production of the 318i sedan in August 1996
to exclusively produce the Z3 roadster to meet worldwide demand.
The BMW Group accounts for nearly 40 percent of the roadster segment
worldwide -- 8 percent for the Rover-made MGF, and 32 percent for the Z3. The
success of the Z3 also is impressive in its largest market, North America. As
of this month, more than 31,500 Z3s were sold in North America. In Germany,
the Z3 became one of the best-selling convertibles this year, accounting for
more than 15,300 units. This clearly proves the acceptance of the "Made by
BMW" quality stamp, in this case with a car made in the United States for the
world.
SOURCE BMW Manufacturing Corp.
