BMW-Brilliance celebrated the ground breaking ceremonie for a new factory in Shenyang in Liaoning province. Total investment is 5 billion yuan (560 million euros). Brilliance and BMW will share the cost equally. The factory will be ready to roll in 2012 with a capacity of 100.000 cars a year.

It will make the X1 crossover and the stretched 3-series, among others. Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the BMW-board, was quoted: “China has become the third-largest market for BMW Group worldwide.” BMW’s other factory is in Shenyang as well and makes the 3 and 5-series.