Moses Lake, Wash., selected as site of plant to make carbon fiber parts for lightweight BMW

Moses Lake, Wash., selected for BMW parts plant

SEATTLE — The companies planning to build a parts plant for lightweight BMW cars have selected a site at Moses Lake in central Washington because of the availability of hydroelectric power.

The decision by SGL Group and BMW AG was announced Tuesday at a news conference in Seattle.

Gov. Chris Gregoire worked to land the factory. Its $100 million initial investment will create 80 jobs.

The carbon fiber parts made at the plant will be used in BMW’s upcoming Megacity electric vehicle. The urban car is set to be launched before 2015. It will be assembled in Leipzig, Germany.