Spartanburg, S.C. — BMW Manufacturing Corp. in Spartanburg, South Carolina, has produced its 100,000th X5 sports activity vehicle. The Siena Red X5, with Beige Montana leather and wood trim, rolled off the Spartanburg-S.C. line at 3 p.m., EDT, and is destined for a BMW retailer in Ontario.
"The production of the 100,000th X5 is made even more momentous by having the X5 bound for a Canadian retailer," explains Hendrik von Kuenheim, President and CEO of BMW Canada Inc. "Sales of the X series have contributed strongly to BMW Canada's outstanding sales overall."
The milestone X5 was unveiled to associates at the South Carolina factory during celebrations Thursday. X5 Project Leader Eduard Walek drove the 100,000th X5 off the Assembly line and through a ceremonial portal as associates cheered. He presented the keys to the 100,000th X5 to Dr. Helmut Leube, president of BMW Manufacturing Corp.
The BMW X5 was named the safest vehicle ever tested in 2000 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and earned the highest rating the institute has ever given a vehicle of any type or price range.
"I am absolutely thrilled to take part in this milestone," Walek said. "This is testament to years of planning and to everyone's hard work.
"From the beginning, it was our intention to develop a vehicle that set a new standard as far as SUVs are concerned. We did not accept the standards that applied to [other SUVs]. We adhered to one principle: The X5 must be as safe as the passenger cars produced by BMW."