BMW and China partner in $735 mln mainland expansion

BEIJING Nov 12 (Reuters) - BMW (BMWG.DE) and its partner, the state parent of Brilliance China Automotive (1114.HK), will invest a further 5 billion yuan ($735 million) to expand their capacity in China.

The overall longterm investment of BMW and joint venture partner Brilliance Auto Group is expected to eventually exceed 5 billion yuan, BMW said in a statement.

Construction on the second plant is scheduled to start in 2010, the companies said.

Brilliance Auto, the country's eighth-largest automaker, and BMW now manufacture BMW 3-series and 5-series sedans at a plant in the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang.

($=6.83 yuan) (Reporting by Michael Wei and Kirby Chien)