German automobile company BMW opened its first engine factory in China on Friday. The plant, located in Sheyang City, is owned by BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) Holdings Ltd.

The new engine plant, equipped with light metal foundry, is an initiative of BBA, a joint venture between BMW Group and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

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The factory will manufacture the company's latest product line of the BMW TwinPower Turbo three- and four-cylinder petrol engines and create part of the production network of BBA in Shenyang. The cutting-edge BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engines are a part of the latest BMW EfficientDynamics engine family distinguished for its increased efficiency level and low emissions.

The plant is BMW's first engine plant outside of Europe. Covering an area of more or less 900,000 square metres, the facility will mainly cater the Chinese market.

During the opening ceremony, BBA President Anton Heiss said that this is the first engine plant with a foundry workshop outside Germany. It is equipped with foundry, mechanical processing and assembly workshops. He further said that this new milestone is BMW's fulfillment to localization and its confidence in the potential of China's market.

The new plant will purportedly employ about 2,000 workers over time. The plant was funded by BBA alone, and no additional investment was needed by partners. The construction of the facility began in August 2013. BBA was founded in 2003.  

TagsBMW, BBA, BMW Brilliance Automotive, china, cars