The BMW 3-series is made in China by the Brilliance-BMW joint venture. Production of the new 3 will start early next year. After seeing spy shots of an extended 3-series testing in China it was expected, and kinda confirmed by BMW, that BMW would launch an extended 3-series for China to compete with the Audi A4L. It might be not true after all.

‘Officials’ from Brilliance told Chinese carnews portal Autohome that there will be no extended BMW-3-series for China; the China-made 3 will be the same as the European-made 3. As for why, they said that BMW wanted Chinese car buyers to “experience the fun of handling the new 3 Series”.

Interesting indeed. The prototypes sure existed. Why did BMW suddenly change its mind? Or did it? We’ll keep you posted…