​Thembisa Shologu
The BMW Group has successful launched its latest X3 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle in line with the commitment by countries to reduce emissions and support the transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient global economy.
The event highlighted the firm's commitment to strengthening South Africa's economic vitality and advancing industrial innovation.
The new BMW X3 has been declared South Africa's Car of the Year for 2025, and BMW has a long history in the country, and its footprint has grown significantly over the years.
Speaking at the launch at the BMW Group Plant in Rosslyn, President Cyril Ramaphosa said government was greatly encouraged by the milestone reached by the BMW Group.
"A number of world-class vehicles are manufactured right here at this plant, including both Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) and hybrid models from the BMW X family.
"Now we have reached another milestone with the production of the BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. We are greatly encouraged by this milestone. 
"As the transition to battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen mobility gathers momentum, South Africa is perfectly positioned as a key global manufacturing base for the mobility of the future," said President Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa said the global shift to clean vehicles presented opportunities for the local component manufacturing sector, whose focus has been on ICE components.
He commended BMW for the substantial investment in its training academy, which has trained more than 2,000 artisans has since 1978. 
"As a founding partner of the Youth Employment Service, BMW has supported over 3,500 youth, with placements across all provinces and in diverse sectors such as retail, IT, education and health.
"BMW's commitment to transformation includes active mentorship of young women, the development of black industrialists, and investment in a pipeline of future managers through its Leadership Acceleration Programme. We are greatly encouraged by your ongoing investment as we strive to build the low-carbon economies of the future," he said.
BMW Group announced further investment in its plant operations in Rosslyn during the President's Investment Conference held on 13 April 2023, as a commitment to South Africa.
Member of the Board of Management, Ilka Horstmeier said since its founding in the country in '73 it has been a story of success and growth.
"We have been here since 50 years, we have driven the economic growth of South Africa, but it is about more than that, it is about friendship, it is about trust and loyalty and we want to build on that trust by giving our best and you giving your best and then South Africa and BMW will have a bright future.
"Our plant motto isn't just about 'building more than just cars', it is something we live everyday. Beyond building cars, mostly people are building careers, and we are constantly building our employee skills with training, we are very much into apprenticeship, and we are building more partnerships with the local communities," said Horstmeier.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi said BMW's partnership with Soshanguve Automotive School of Specialisation has paved the way for future careers in the province. 
Lesufi has expressed gratitude to the Group for supporting government industrial and economic policy objectives of ensuring job creation, increased industrial output and export income, transformation and a future of sustainability of this important sector in the province.
"This is economic transformation in action where factories rise, businesses grow and communities thrive, we call it growing Gauteng together. 
"With the opening of this state-of-the-art facility, South Africa has taken a bold and decisive step ahead of its competitors in this industry. Once more BMW, yes, we build it for the world," said Premier Lesufi.