A product exclusively developed for China

Joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd will produce the first-ever long-wheelbase 3 Series sedan later this year, a product exclusively developed for local customers.

In addition to the LWB version, BMW will also introduce the standard version of the sixth-generation 3 Series to China, a model hit the European and US markets in February.

"The sixth-generation BMW 3 Series once again sets new benchmarks in sporting prowess, elegance and comfort, which is a perfect foundation for the LWB version," said Olaf Kastner, president and CEO of BMW Brilliance Auto.

He said the LWB version was co-developed by engineers in China's northeastern city Shenyang and the team at the BMW Research and Innovation Center in Munich.

"They have once again proven that we can deliver true masterpieces together," Kastner said.

The LWB 3 Series is the second locally tailored product made by the joint venture following the hot-selling LWB version of the 5 Series first built in China in 2006.

The LWB 5 Series sold 70,000 units from 2006 to 2010. Its second-generation version launched 18 months ago has to date sold more than 100,000 units.

Like 5 Series LWB, the LWB 3 Series is expected to succeed in the market due to its sporty DNA and the additional size that meets local preferences, according to the company.

The new product will have its global premiere at the upcoming Beijing auto show and hit the market at the end of this year.

To augment its existing plant in Dadong district of Shenyang, BMW Brilliance recently brought a new plant online in Tiexi district of the city.

The new 3 Series, both the standard and the LWB versions, will be produced at the new plant, which has technologies that match BMW's plants in Germany, Kastner said.

Some equipment in the new Tiexi plant is even more advanced, like the new painting shop, he added.

BMW now produces the 3 Series, the 5 Series and the X1 SAV at the joint venture plants that could reach combined production capacity of 200,000 or 300,000 units a year depending on market demand.

"BMW Brilliance has a long-term commitment to Chinese automotive development," Kastner said.

"We have a well-established supply chain in China with more than 200 local suppliers to provide timely support with the specially designed spare parts, for example the comfortable rear seats designed for Chinese customers."

The new 3 Series will also be equipped with the carmaker's latest four- and six-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine that is just began manufacturing at a new engine plant in Shenyang, BMW's first engine plant outside Europe.

It is designed to eventually supply powertrains to all China-made models.