German premium carmaker BMW plans to build a research and development (R&D) center in China to enable its vehicles to better cater to local buyers.

Christoph Stark, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China, told China Daily that the carmaker is now finalizing details of the plan.

The R&D center in the northeastern city of Shenyang, where BMW runs a joint venture with Brilliance China Auto, will be one of the group's key R&D facilities globally.