New Rolls-Royce plant planned

BMW is to build a new plant in southern England to manufacture Rolls-Royce cars.

BMW is to build a new plant in southern England to manufacture Rolls-Royce cars.

The German manufacturer takes over production of the luxury brand from Volkswagen in 2003 and plans to introduce a new Rolls-Royce limousine in that year.

The factory in Goodwood, West Sussex, will employ 350 people by 2003 and will have an annual production capacity of about 1,000 vehicles, BMW said.

Rolls-Royce founder Sir Henry Royce began building his cars in the neighboring town of West Wittering nearly 100 years ago. Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars are currently produced at Crewe in Cheshire.