BMW revs up backing for Chinese joint venture to seek long-term growth

BMW AG is to expand its joint venture with Brilliance Automotive Group Holdings as part of efforts to bolster its continued success in China's increasingly competitive premium car market.

The joint venture, BMW Brilliance Automotive, will scale up the combined capacity of its car plants in Shenyang, Liaoning province to 520,000 vehicles in 2019, according to a long-term framework agreement signed by both parties in Germany on Monday.

The deal outlines BMW's further investment in the joint venture as well as localizing its first electric model, the BMW iX3 SUV, for the international market.