GSA Daily Staff Report
Published May 4, 2010

In April, BMW sold 645 X3 luxury sports utility vehicle, an increase of 64.5%. Currently manufactured in Austria, BMW’s plant in Spartanburg will begin production of the X3 this summer following a $750 million expansion.

“The all-new X3 arrives at the end of this year and we anticipate strong demand for this new entry in the hot premium smaller crossover segment,” said Jim O’Donnell, president of BMW of North America LLC.

The news about the X3 comes as BMW Group reported April sales of 21,111 vehicles, a 9% increase from the same month in 2009. For the first four months, total sales volume increased 7.9% to 76,162 vehicles compared to the same period last year.

The total sales figures include vehicles that fall under the BMW and Mini brands, including pre-owned sales.

BMW’s plant in Spartanburg manufactures the X5 sports activity vehicle and the X6 sports activity coupe. Sales of the X5 and the X6 were up 1.6% and down 9.2%, respectively.

"April’s positive results are an achievement keeping in mind we have two high volume models in short supply due to the end of their lifecycles," O'Donnell said. "Both the X3 and 5 Series are in transition and we anxiously await the new 5 (Series) on sale in June as it has received superb early reviews in comparisons with the competition.”