China is expected to have a closer relationship with the global market, as carmakers are making the country a production base for exports, a senior BMW executive said recently.
"If you look today, it is normal to have an auto plant in South Africa, India or Mexico for exports. It is not normal to have a plant in China for exports," BMW Group China president and CEO Jochen Goller said, according to China Daily.
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Goller said the situation would change as carmakers, including BMW, are making China a production base for overseas markets.
The electric iX3 SUV plant in Shenyang, Liaoning province, is that model's sole production site globally.
The first shipment will reach overseas markets in March, Goller said.
He said BMW was also partnering with China's Great Wall Motors to produce electric Mini-branded vehicles in Jiangsu province for global markets as well.
"I don't believe in decoupling. The world will become even closer," he said.
China Daily noted suppliers have chosen China as a global production base faster than carmakers. BMW has around 400 suppliers in China which are producing auto parts for its plants in Shenyang and also other parts of the world.
China is also BMW's largest market worldwide. In the first half of the year, it sold 329,609 vehicles in the country, with sales in the second quarter rising 17% year on year.
Goller expected the rise to grow even higher in the third quarter. In the past two years, BMW launched 40 models in the country, and 17 will be launched this year, Goller said.
