The South Africa division of Bayerische Motoren Werke, better known as BMW, has announced that it will invest R4.2 billion rand in going electric at its Rosslyn production plant over the next five years.
The next-generation BMW X3, a plug-in hybrid model, will be exclusively manufactured in Pretoria for export purposes. Many of its target markets are introducing deadlines after which new combustion engine vehicles will not be sold.
The BMW investment secures jobs for over 20 000 employees and showcases, according to a statement by the company.
BMW SA also made a donation of R30 million to support a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) program aimed at enhancing education in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics for South African school learners.
South Africa’s official policy about introducing electric vehicles in the country is expected from the Department of Trade and Industry in the first quarter of next year.
