Launch of BMW x1.
CYBERJAYA: BMW Group Malaysia plans to increase its annual production capacity by 2,000 to 3,000 units by 2018 from the existing 8,000 units.
BMW head of corporate communications, Sashi Ambi, said the move was designed to cater to the group’s export expansion to Vietnam and the Philippines via Malaysia in the next two years.
“This is still very early. It will depend on market conditions but we will definitely have to increase our production if we want to export,” he told reporters when announcing the group’s initiatives in Cyberjaya on Monday.
Sashi said as part of the initiatives, BMW would reduce prices of exisiting models and introduce new models.
Earlier on Monday, two new models -- the BMW X1 and BMW X4 -- were unveiled.
Both models, which will be locally assembled at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park, are expected to be in the market in the second half of 2016.
Meanwhile, BMW Group Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Han Sang Yun said Malaysia would become an export hub for the BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series and BMW 7 Series variants to Vietnam and the Philippines.
“We are pleased to be able to raise our competency here to assemble and export these premium vehicles to emerging markets in the region and grow our capabilities in the Asean region,” he said.
The group will also be lowering the prices of the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, BMW X3 and BMW 5 Series variants by up to nine per cent with immediate effect as the variants have received customised Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) status incentives.
Earlier this year, BMW lowered prices for the BMW 1 series and BMW 3 series by up to 8.0 per cent after the vehicles received customised EEV status incentives.
The group is also optimistic of surpassing last year’s sales of 9,350 units across its BMW, MINI and motorcycle variants. - Bernama
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