14 Nov 2005
By Lindsay Chappell, Automotive News
Three construction projects at BMW AG's US assembly plant are intended to help the automaker work closer with North American suppliers on upcoming vehicles.
BMW is adding a $3 million building next to the Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant, where it plans to work with suppliers on developing and testing parts. The 13,800-square-foot (1100 sq.-m) building, which will be completed by year end, will do pre-production evaluations.
BMW also is building a $9 million testing operation, where it will collaborate with suppliers on vehicle evaluations on issues such as wind noise. The 75-acre project, which includes a test track, is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2006.
At the same time, BMW is spending $10 million to convert a neighbouring 220,000-square-foot (20 000 sq. m) industrial building into Spartanburg's second parts staging center.
New tech centre, too
Separately, BMW also is nearing completion of a $15 million technology research centre near the plant in conjunction with Clemson University. The center will conduct information technology r&d for future uses in vehicle and factory operations.
From Automotive News (A Crain publication)
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