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Reports say that there will be a long wheelbase version of the BMW F30 3-series. The main market for this version will be China, same as when the F10 5-series long wheelbase version was made. This strengthens the relationship of BMW with the Chinese market and also with it’s Chinese partner Brilliance.
The preference of the Chinese to be chauffered is the main reason why long wheelbase versions are made for them specifically. This is said to be the direct competitor of the Audi A4L which was launched recently.
Brilliance will be helping in building this long wheelbase 3-series. This will be produced in the new BMW factory in the Shengyang China, which we reported to have broken ground two days ago. Since this factory will not be functional until 2012, the earliest we can expect the 3-series long wheelbase version will be in late 2012 or possibly, in 2013.
Reports also say that Brilliance and BMW are in the talks of opening a MINI factory in China as well. But even if the MINI plant does not push through, the capacity of the Shengyang factory to produce 300,000 cars annually will most likely allow BMW to export its cars from China.
