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Already producing the new X1, BMW mulls a new investment cycle

Maru Escobedo, president and CEO, talks about volume growth and do not discard producing electrified vehicles in Brazil

By Alzira Rodrigues | 4/17/23 | Translated by Jorge Meditsch

Just six months after its launch in Europe, the new X1 began to be made at the BMW Group plant in Araquari, SC, this Monday, 4/17. In two weeks, it will be at the brand’s dealer net countrywide. The main fruit of a R$ 500 million investment announced at the end of 2021, the new model has two engine options – 1.5 l and 2.0 l – and three versions.

At the new assembly lane inauguration, Maru Escobedo, BMW Group Brazil’s CEO and president, said the company wants to increase sales and expand production in Araquari, where the 3 Series, X3 and X4 are also made. She said nothing is already defined but revealed studies to produce new models in the country, including electrified.

The hybrid cars will be prioritized over the 100% electrics if the studies to produce new models in Santa Catarina are concretized. “We will consider everything”, commented Maru, who let it clear Brazil is strategic for the brand in Latin America.

She admitted the production expansion project includes the search for new markets in the region. Regarding the Brazilian market, BMW’s goal in 2023 is to expand sales by 5%. Production, which reached 9.8 thousand units last year, also should grow, but the CEO did not talk numbers.

In her evaluation, the new BMW X1 will be an excellent reinforcement for the brand to maintain the total premium segment leadership for the fifth consecutive year. Its current share reaches expressive 42%.

Otávio Rodacoswiski. the Araquari plant general director, recalled operations in Santa Catarina are completing nine years in 2023: “We are South America’s largest premium vehicle producers, the result of nearly R$ 1.8 billion investments since 2014. We plan to increase production this year to meet the premium market demand for BMW products”.

Fully refurbished, the new BMW X1 has three versions. The Drive18i GP has a 1.5l three-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine with 156 cv and 230 Nm. The sDrive20i X-Line and M Sport versions use the new generation 2.0l BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine with 204 cv and 300 Nm.

According to the brand, it means 12 cv and 20 Nm more than the previous engine, resulting in more performance and fuel economy. The three versions carry the 7-speed Steptronic transmission.

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Alzira Rodrigues

Jornalista formada pela Universidade Metodista de São Paulo, iniciou a cobertura do setor automotivo em 1981 na Sucursal do ABC de O Estado de S. Paulo. Manteve-se na área desde então, passando por outros jornais e também revistas e sites.

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