BMW X3 takes premium auto marque's Chinese venture to next level

In keeping with customer demands, the milestone breaking all-new BMW X3 went into domestic production recently, taking the premium German brand's Chinese venture to the next level.

BMW Brilliance Automotive Co began accepting orders for the mid-size sport activity vehicle, the sixth locally made BMW model, on April 26 in Beijing, one day after its debut at Auto China 2018.

"The all-new BMW X3 will strengthen our product lineups, and its local production will bring BMW Brilliance to the next level," said Johann Wieland, president and CEO of BMW Brilliance Automotive.

The company said that whether the owner is passionate about driving, or just uses the car for the daily commute, the latest model provides perfect balance between dynamic driving and comfortable ride.

BMW said its engineers have achieved a perfect balance with the design of this model, with a 50:50 weight distribution between the front and rear axle - the foundation for the BMW X3's dynamic qualities.

Precision in weight distribution, power and braking is the secret behind the excellent handling of the all-new BMW X3, and is also what makes the model's distinct sportiness stand out in the segment, according to the automaker.

The SAV's dynamics and authenticity have been widely and highly praised by BMW fans and media around the world, in particular for its driving performance.

The first BMW X3 created the mid-sized SAV segment in 2003, and quickly established itself as the benchmark.

With its classic sports presence and solid off-road functionality, the third generation BMW X3 is expected to raise that benchmark even higher.

"We are convinced that it has a better product substance, and our production delivers higher quality," Wieland said. "It will be very competitive when facing the rivals in its segment."

The latest SAV is manufactured at BMW Brilliance's Dadong plant in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province.

As one of the three production centers worldwide for the all-new BMW X3, the Dadong plant is committed to leveraging its state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 facilities to manufacture BMW models for the Chinese market.

"We listen to our Chinese customers. We have added a lot of features to reflect the latest ideas and wishes of our customers," Wieland said.

"The young generations below 30 years are extremely open to innovation and people are really going for new trends and new ideas."

The automaker has found through marketing surveys of Chinese consumers that connectivity plays great importance, more than in the rest of the world.

Innovation in the all-new X3 underlines BMW's vision of future mobility, in order to move toward autonomous driving, connected and intelligent technologies and light-weight construction.

As a result, the all-new BMW X3 integrates BMW's latest technologies and sets higher standards for its segment.

The model is the first to introduce the BMW Personal CoPilot that integrates the company's latest advanced driver assistant system technologies.

Natural language understanding, touch screen and gesture control form part of its cutting-edge human-machine interface.

Wi-Fi and the segment's only wireless connection to Apple CarPlay add even greater convenience.

The new model will arrive with even more upgrades tailored to Chinese customers, including an extra-large panoramic sunroof, a PM2.5 air filter and extra-thick rear seat cushions.

"It will have a significant impact on the BMW sales volume," Wieland added.

"China will become the largest single market for the BMW X3 worldwide."

More than 1.5 million deliveries of the X3 were recorded worldwide over its previous two generations.

haoyan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 05/04/2018 page15)