In the presence of China's prime minister Li Keqiang and Germany's chancellor Angela Merkel, the BMW Group and Brilliance Automotive Group signed a long-term agreement to expand cooperation in their joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA). The important part of the expansion will also be export of BBA produced BMW iX3 to markets outside China.

BMW delivered around 560.000 vehicles (more than US and Germany combined) to China last year, which means, that it is a very important market for the German automotive company. And two thirds of all BMW vehicles sold in China in the same period came from BBA factories, which also celebrated 2 millionth BMW vehicle, which came from BMW's Chinese factories. But, BBA does not only produce cars, but also already employs over 800 professionals in joint venture's R&D facilities. Two thirds of them are Chinese.

In May they also started to produce new BMW X3, the sixth BMW model, which is produced in China, and in 2020 the production of BMW iX3, BMW's first all electric core model, will start in Shenyang, where BBA also produces batteries for electrified BMW models. As we already mentioned, BMW i3X will be also exported to markets outside of China.

"Today's signing represents a new chapter in the success story of our BMW Brilliance Automotive joint venture," said Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. "Our agreement sets a long-term framework for our future in China - a future involving continued investment, further growth and a clear commitment to the development and production of electric vehicles. The next chapter of our cooperation has the potential to go beyond our existing motto - in China, for China. The all-electric BMW iX3, produced by BBA from 2020, will find customers around the world."

"BMW Brilliance Automotive is a unique success story and stands out as an example of trusted partnership," said Yumin Qi, Chairman, Brilliance Automotive Group Holdings, and concluded: "This joint success is also driving the economic development of Liaoning province, adding jobs and prosperity to thousands of our associates in the region."

July 9, 2018 Driving photo: BMW

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