BMW Rebuts Report It Will Source Vehicles from NedCar

BMW dismisses a Dutch news report that the company is close to a deal for unspecified models to be assembled at a Mitsubishi Motors Corp. factory in the Netherlands, according to Automotive News Europe.

BMW tells the online newspaper that a story in Dagblad De Limburger is "speculation." The Maastricht-based newspaper said the carmaker is negotiating with Dutch bus maker VDL Groep to start building BMW vehicles as early as 2014 at the plant, which is known as NedCar.

MMC announced in February that it plans to stop building vehicles at the facility by year-end. The company said it would consider selling the factory, using it to assemble vehicles for another carmaker or giving it to the Dutch government for a token €1.

The government and the union representing the plant's 1,500 workers have been in talks with prospective buyers. They have said they hope to reach a deal before July. BMW denied rumors this spring that it was considering building its Mini brand vehicles at NedCar.