BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd announced the launch of the BMW 320i high and the BMW 325i M sports package early this month.

Introduction of the new car models has further enriched the BMW product lineup and provided customers with more choices.

Incorporating advanced design philosophy and cutting-edge technology, the BMW 320i high is equipped with a professional navigation system, while accessories in the BMW 325i M sports package make the car more dynamic.

In addition to great power, elegant design, outstanding performance, and unrivalled comfort and safety, the highlight of both new models is the BMW iDrive, which has a strong capacity of processing information and offers a simple operation menu for the driver, thus making for sheer driving pleasure.

The two models have been available with BMW authorized dealers since last Thursday.

"The BMW 3 Series has retained its leadership in the premium sports sedan segment since it was born more than 30 years ago," said Daniel Kirchert, senior vice-president of BMW Brilliance.

"The positive lifestyle advocated by the BMW 3 Series - challenging the limits and exceeding oneself - has been widely recognized by customers," he added.

Since the birth of the first generation BMW 3 Series in 1975, the total sales of the series around the world have so far exceeded 10 million units.

Five out of 10 cars sold by BMW worldwide are 3 Series, according to the company.

The BMW 3 Series is proud of its stable customer groups and leads its main competitors in sales figures. It is also the most popular among the best selling cars in the BMW family.

In the first half of 2007, BMW Brilliance delivered 15,165 units of the BMW 3 and 5 Series to customers, a 48 percent increase compared with the previous period.

Of these, 6,802 units of the BMW 3 Series were sold, a growth of 45 percent year-on- year. Currently, BMW Brilliance offers six variants of the BMW 3 Series.

The manufacturer of this premium automobile, BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd, is a joint venture, invested by BMW Group and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

Having set up its main production facilities in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning Province and a traditional industrial base, BMW Brilliance is seeking to further enhance its market influence in China's auto sector.

The 50,000th BMW car manufactured by BMW Brilliance rolled off the production line in Shenyang on March 5, 2007, marking a milestone in the Shenyang plant's development and also in BMW's expansion in China.

The second Supplier Day of BMW Brilliance, held in Shenyang recently, attracted 209 representatives from 84 auto parts suppliers worldwide.

Currently, BMW Brilliance has more than 60 local suppliers in China.

The company estimates that by the end of 2007, the number of local suppliers will reach 100 and the local purchasing volume will surge by 80 percent to 3.6 billion yuan.

(China Daily August 27 2007)