BMW Officially Confirms All-New X7 Big-Mama SUV, X5 Plug-in Hybrid [Updated]

Evidently, for BMW, expansion works both ways. After developing smaller models like the 2-Series Active Tourer and the X4, the Bavarian carmaker confirmed plans today for the introduction of a new extra-large crossover that will join its X family of cars at the Spartanburg plant, the X7.

While the German manufacturer was coy about any details surrounding the X7, the large SUV will sit atop the X range and will be to the 7-Series what the X5 is to the 5-Series.

“With the BMW X7, we are developing another, larger X model, which we will produce at our U.S. plant for our world markets – once again underscoring our commitment to the U.S,” said BMW boss Norbert Reithofer.

For this purpose, as well as to meet growing global demand for the rest of the X range of models, all of which are built at BMW’s U.S. plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the Germans will invest $1 billion in the factory in the next two years, making it the brand’s biggest plant in the world.

“This [investment] will increase annual production capacity by 50% up to 450,000 vehicles from 300,000 currently,” explained Reithofer. “Expansion at the site will create 800 new jobs, bringing the total workforce in Spartanburg to 8,800. It will also make Spartanburg the largest plant in terms of production capacity in our global production network,” he added.

The Bavarian company’s boss added that the X7 “will be highly fuel efficient while offering outstanding driving performance. It will be a true BMW”. He also confirmed the production of the X5 Plug-in Hybrid: “In the near future, a plug-in hybrid version of the BMW X5 will also be produced here. This vehicle will be high-tech with maximum fuel efficiency, setting another benchmark in the premium SAV segment. For us, that is Efficient Dynamics 2.0,” said Reithofer.

Since BMW first opened the Spartanburg plant in 1994, more than 2.6 million vehicles have rolled off the production line, with 297,326 manufactured in 2013.

By John Halas

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