BMW has ceased South African production of 3-Series sedans in place of the new X3 SUV.

The Rosslyn plant in Pretoria, SA has built nearly 1.12 million 3-Series since 1983, 35 years ago.

One in four 3-Series has been built there, closing out five generations of the mid-size prestige sedan, which will now be replaced by the next X3 SUV.

BMW Group of South Africa invested 160 billion rand (A$17.5 million) to upgrade production speed in October last year.

This came after a 2015 commitment of six billion rand (A$656.5 million), one of the biggest investments in the South African automotive industry.

BMW Plant Rosslyn director Stefan Hülsenberg says the local commitment will greatly improve capacity.

The enhancement has raised the maximum production capacity to 76 000 units, leaving the plant with excellent potential in the future to produce the highest volume ever in its 45-year history.”
“Plans to create a centre of production excellence at our plant are well under way with the largest infrastructure upgrade in the history of the facility now completed and staff upskilled in state-of-the-art technologies,” Hülsenberg adds.

The BMW 3 Series Sedan will now be manufactured at the new BMW Group plant in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, alongside a plant in Germany.