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BMW To Build Carbon Fiber Plant in NA

Following the partnership made last year with the SGL Group to manufacture carbon fibers and textile semi-finished products (CFRP) for future BMW vehicles, German carmaker BMW is said to be looking for a site where to build a future carbon fiber plant.

According to MotoringFile and a local Washington TV station, both BMW and SGL have begun eyeing sites near Moses Lake in Washington, as well as in an unnamed Canadian city.

Until now, it is only known the new company will operate from two locations, one in the US and one in Europe. SGL will hold 51 percent of the group and BMW the remainder. The joint venture will create some 180 jobs in the US and Germany. No word so far on what this would mean for the American workforce.

The products manufactured at the loctions will largely be used by BMW for the creation of the much anticipated Megacity vehicle and as time goes by, they will expand to most of the manufacturer's car portfolio.

The Megacity vehicle, created by the infamous Project i branch will be built starting 2013 in BMW's facility in Leipzig.

The vehicle, part of a new, third sub-brand owned by BMW (probably named i-Setta), will be offered by the carmaker with a choice of several engines, ranging from regular, yet small displacement gasoline engines to all electric choice.

A preview of the electric powertrain to be featured on the Megacity is the current ActivE vehicle. Powered by a new synchronous electric motor, the car develops 170 bhp and a maximum torque of 250 Nm of torque from a standstill.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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