Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of BMW X5 M and X6 M spy shots

Despite earlier assertions to the contrary, all indications are now that BMW is preparing its first batch of M-tuned sport-utilities, including an X5 M and X6 M. Advanced-stage test mules for both have now been spied by a keen photographer right here in the United States, at BMW's Performance Center test track in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The prototype X5 and X6 M have enlarged air intakes with white LED headlamps up front and aerodynamic rear bumpers with quad pipes poking out the back. The trademark M division side gills have been camouflaged, but the exhaust notes are a reported dead giveaway: the X5 M prototype sounding like a twin-turbo V8, while the X6 M sounds more like a V10 or V12. The appearance of the M-tuned crossovers on American soil instead of on the Nurburgring gives us an idea of just who BMW will be targeting with these performance sport-utes. Check out all the spy shots in our gallery below and hit up the source for two spy videos. Mad props to PalBay for the tip and the shots!

[Source: PalBay]

After the announcement last month that BMW was increasing U.S. production while cutting jobs in Germany, the CFO of the German automaker, Michael Ganal, told WirtschaftsWoche magazine that the automaker intends to make other significant changes as the dollar continues to depreciate against the euro. As of today, the volume of cars produced in BMW's Spartanburg plant contributes to about 22 percent of the company's overall sales. However, these vehicles only account for about 10 percent of the materials purchased volume. Over the next four years, the Bavarian car company intends to increase its purchases of parts and components from domestic U.S. suppliers, and Ganal hinted that BMW may also increase production to even higher levels than the 240,000 vehicles annually manufactured on our shores. The influx of manufacturing, supply, and administrative jobs (and tax revenue) may be one of the only upsides to the continuing plunge of the dollar.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

This Monday, BMW will announce plans to expand its sole U.S. assembly plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This is more great news for Spartanburg, as BMW has increased production at the plant three times previously, and the facility is already running over capacity. Its stated capacity is 140,000 vehicles per year, but workers there cranked out 154,999 vehicles in 2007. BMW will reportedly expand its facilities in Spartanburg by 70,000 square feet, at a cost estimated at $27 million. This will bring the German automaker's total investment in Spartanburg to $4.83 billion since it opened in 1994. Clearly BMW has been a significant boost to the regional economy.

The German automaker is currently manufacturing the X5 SAV, Z4 Roadster and M Coupes, and the upcoming X6 SAV at the plant. In 2010, it plans to send the Z4 assembly to Germany, but bring all X3 SAV production to the States (some X3 production is currently done under contract assembly by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria).

[Source: Automotive News Europe, subs. req'd]

Despite slashing some 8,000 jobs worldwide, BMW plans to hire more workers to man its Spartanburg, S.C. production center, while simultaneously upping the night shift from eight hours to ten. The South Carolina plant currently produces the X5 and Z4, but with production of the X6 CUV beginning a few weeks back, BMW is looking to staff an additional 200 jobs to keep the assembly plant on boil. Although Z4 production is going to Regensburg, Germany in 2009, BMW plans to begin building the X3, which is overdue for a refresh, at the plant around the same time. Those of you looking for jobs in the Spartanburg area can apply through MAU Inc., BMW's U.S. staffing firm, and should expect to bring in $12.50 an hour during the day shift and additional buck if you're willing to toil away in the wee hours of the night.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Since their introduction in the mid-nineties the BMW Z3 and its Z4 successor, along with their M and coupe derivatives, have always been built at BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina manufacturing facility. That all looks set to change with the next-generation model. Given that the biggest market for BMW's SUV models is in North America the company has already previously announced plans to shift X3 production from MagnaSteyr's plant to Austria to Spartanburg, BMW will consolidate all SUV and CUV production there. Capacity in Spartanburg is being bumped from 140,000 to 200,000 units a year to accommodate this, and production of the next Z4 will shift to Regensburg, Germany. The upcoming X6 will be added to Spartanburg's output as well.

[Source: Just-Auto - Sub. req'd]

According to a Reuters report, BMW's Spartanburg, NC SC plant will be taking on some additional duties when the new X3 is produced in the next few years. The plant, which currently builds the X5 and Z4 roadsters, will also be building the upcoming X6 CUV.

Considering the plant has been somewhat underutilized – only rolling out 105,000 vehicles in 2006, when its capable of producing 200k units – seems like a good fit, especially since the move would negate the serious currency fluctuations that are plaguing other automakers. However, a German labor representative was none too happy about the announcement, citing that BMW's Leipzig plant in Germany, which produces the 1- and 3-series, isn't working to its full potential either.

[Source: Reuters]

The National Association of Manufacturers brings us an educational treat for a fun TGIF - an insider's look at manufacturing the BMW Z4. The vehicle, built at Bimmer's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, gets the soup-to-nuts treatment from NAM with subject matter and descriptions accessible enough for non-engineers. Check it out to learn more about BMW's assembly and finish techniques, as well as an opportunity to eat up the eye candy that is the BMW Z4.

[Source: The National Association of Manufacturers]

Fans of BMW's new Z4 Coupe are in luck -- the first Z4 and M Coupes rolled off the line at BMW's plant in Spartanburg, S.C. Tuesday, just in time for summer sales drives. Both vehicles get their power from BMW's sonorous 3.2L inline six, though the M model provides a bonus 115 horsepower over the base model's 255 hp (for a total of 370) and a 0-60 time of under 5 seconds.

[Source: BMW via BusinessWire]

In what can only be seen as a remarkable development in flexible automobile manufacturing, BMW has restructured its Spartanburg, South Carolina from a two-line setup to a single line assembly system. With this development, BMW will be able to produce two radically different models on the same line-- Z4 roadsters and X5 SUVs.The new setup will allow the plant more fluid model combinations-- it will be able to produce from 100-percent X5s to a 60-percent/40-percent split between Z4s and X5s.

Line employees were trained offsite beginning last November when the final pre-facelift Z4s rolled off the line and the line reworking began in earnest.

The new system is so flexible that it will most likely accommodate a third model in the form of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class fighting X6 (essentially a large lux'd-out minivan) that's expected for 2008.

BMW's Spartanburg plant just observed building their one-millionth car earlier this month.

[Source: JustAuto.com]