BMW Motorrad has officially started operation of the new BMW Group plant in Manaus, Brazil, the first 100% BMW Group-owned motorcycle production site outside Germany. A total of around 10.5 million euros ($11.4 million) were invested in the new plant. The first model to be produced at the new site in Manaus is the BMW F 700 GS. The BMW F 800 GS, BMW F 800 GS Adventure, BMW F 800 R, BMW R 1200 GS, BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, BMW S 1000 R, BMW S 1000 RR and BMW S 1000 XR will also be produced in Manaus this year.
With an initial capacity of 10,000 motorcycles per year, the new unit has already hired more than 175 employees and is working together with over 45 local suppliers, numbers that may increase depending on growth in local market demand.
Built on an area of around 10,000 sq. meters (107,639 sq. feet), the new plant took about nine months to complete. BMW states that it has the latest equipment and a team of highly-trained employees, who are able to ensure the same level of premium quality as at other BMW Group production plants.
According to BMW’s press release, “BMW Motorrad is expanding its motorcycle production globally to achieve sustainable business growth. Brazil remains an important market for this strategy and we see great potential in this country over the mid and long term.”
This is the second BMW Group plant to be located in Brazil, following the automobile plant in Araquari.
