2012 BMW 3 Series Production Starts in Munich

The Munich plant dates to 1922 and has built more than 8.5 million cars. Production of the previous-generation 3 Series here last year totaled nearly 206,000, and the plant is expected to build at least that many cars next year.

BMW's production boss Frank-Peter Arndt observed that the 3 Series "is the most important volume-produced model from the BMW Group, as well as the biggest-selling model in the entire premium segment."

Thus, the heavy investment in the updated production facilities, especially in "innovative production equipment and state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies," according to BMW. Among the upgraded hardware are new robots for such functions as welding, bonding and painting.

Munich is the lead plant worldwide for production of the sixth-generation 3 Series, which eventually will be assembled at various locations around the globe, including Russia, China, Mexico and South Africa.