The list of potential targets also includes one city in Hungary, where Mercedes-Benz already has a plant, and a city in Slovakia.
The investment would most likely exceed EUR1 billion and production would amount to at least 100,000-150,000 units, which would contribute 10% to exports and 3% to the Gross Domestic Product, comparable to Dacia’s contributions, while BMW’s cheapest cars are at least three times more expensive than Dacias.
“The decision of a carmaker the size of BMW is not influenced only by workforce quality and by workforce costs, but also by infrastructure, with logistical costs being very important. That is why in investment in western Romania is not excluded, as new sections of highway have already been built on Pan-European Corridor IV. Mercedes-Benz’s investment in Romania was lost specifically because of the lack of infrastructure,” said Constantin Stroe, president of the Association of Car Manufacturers in Romania (ACAROM).
According to sources close to BMW, the German constructor is looking into several potential locations for expanding its production capacity, but only as research.
The German carmaker is constantly looking into options for prospective manufacturing sites in order to make a decision as quickly as possible when a new opportunity arises and a new plant is needed.
BMW has already made its first visit, say officials of the Lugoj city hall, but for the time being plans have not moved beyond the stage of talks.
BMW officials have not made any comment on a prospective investment in Romania or in Eastern Europe.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)