BMW plans to grow sub-Saharan African vehicle sales
BMW SA will have ready-made export markets for its forthcoming, home-made X3 sports utility vehicle (SUV) if it can develop a "structured" approach to selling vehicles in sub-Saharan Africa, CEO Tim Abbott said on Tuesday.He was speaking after BMW Germany announced that, with immediate effect, the South African unit would take responsibility for distribution and marketing activities across the sub-Saharan region.They would initially concentrate on seven countries beyond SA: Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Togo, Ghana, Kenya and Angola.The expansion covers all BMW group marques, including Mini and Rolls-Royce. However, Abbott said BMW cars and motorcycles would be the main beneficiaries.Last year, BMW SA announced it would invest R6bn in its Rosslyn assembly plant in Pretoria to build the next-generation X3 SUV.It will replace the 3-series sedan, which has been built at Rosslyn since 1983. More than 80% of the 3-series cars built in SA are exported but almost none go to other African ...
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