The BMW Group will open its own motorcycle production facility in Brazil at the end of 2016.
The new plant in Manaus will create around 170 jobs, and the BMW Group is already planning to produce more than 10,000 motorcycles in the factory next year for the growing Brazilian market.
BMW is expecting significant growth in its sales in the country when it starts producing the new BMW G 310 R and eight other models locally.
Opening the new plant means the current contract manufacturing arrangement BMW has with local producer Dafra Motos will be terminated.
Dafra Motos has been building BMW motorcycles in its facility, which is also in Manaus, since 2009 but it was agreed that their production will be end this summer.
Brazil is of great importance to BMW globally.
“With our global growth strategy we are opening up emerging markets such as Brazil. The G 310 R plays a key role in winning over new enthusiastic target groups for BMW Motorrad”, says Stephan Schaller, General Director of BMW Motorrad.
BMW Motorrad is the currently the market leader in the premium over 500 cc segment in 27 countries.
The BMW Group is continuing to extend its involvement in the existing markets and is also tapping new markets in Asia and South America.
The BMW Group also has a car manufacturing plant in Araquari, Brazil.