After several rumors, BMW has announced that it will be investing $1 billion in its Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, which will produce a new larger X7 crossover in addition to a plug-in hybrid version of the X5.
After several rumors, BMW has announced that it will be investing $1 billion in its Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, which will produce a new larger X7 crossover in addition to a plug-in hybrid version of the X5.
BMW is planning on investing heavily in the plant between 2014 and 2016, which will allow the Spartanburg plant to produce 450,000 vehicles a year, 50 percent more than today. The expansion will also create 800 new jobs at Plant Spartanburg and by the end of 2016, 8,800 associates will be employed at the plant.
Related: BMW Concept5 X5 eDrive is an X5 Plug-in Hybrid
BMW did not provide any additional details about the X7, other than stating that the larger than X5 crossover will be “highly fuel efficient while offering outstanding driving performance.” The X5 Plug-in hybrid was previewed by the Concept X5 eDrive and will be powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder that will be mated to an electric motor and all-wheel-drive system. The plug-in hybrid system can accelerate the X5 from 0-62 mph in under seven seconds and can travel up to 18 miles in electric mode.
Related: BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid Prototype Unveiled, Can Travel Up to 18 Miles in EV Mode
Source: BMW
