BMW Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina is the largest BMW factory in the world. The company has spent more than $8,000,000,000—that's eight billion dollars—to get it where it is today: the home of the BMW X3, X4, X5, X6, and in a year or so, the X7. All by itself, BMW Plant Spartanburg makes BMW the largest exporter of vehicles from the U.S. (by dollar value), and BMW continues to invest in it.
In conjunction with today's unveiling of the all-new 2018 BMW X3 and a celebration of the 25th anniversary of BMW's original announcement it would build a factory in the U.S., BMW AG Chairman Harald Krüger announced that BMW will invest another $600,000,000 in the Spartanburg facility between 2018 and 2021. The plant already employs about 9,000 workers. The expansion would add another 1,000 jobs.
An independent study by the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina showed that the nationwide economic impact of BMW Plant Spartanburg is about $38,500,000,000 annually.
Krüger certainly appreciates what has happened in South Carolina over the past quarter century. He pointed out that, “The BMW Group’s success story in the US would not have been possible without the open arms and warm hearts of the people and elected officials in the great state of South Carolina and the surrounding region. Our relationship with South Carolina has been built upon decades of professionalism, mutual trust, and respect—and goes far beyond just building great cars.”
According to Krüger, the expansion will be applied to “manufacturing infrastructure for future generations of the BMW X models.” The new $600,000,000 is in addition to the $1,000,000,000 BMW spent to expand the factory so that it could build the range-topping BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle.
Krüger went on to explain that its U.S. plant is effective because of free trade. “Free trade has made this success story in the U.S. possible," said Krüger. "I firmly believe in free trade and open markets. It is essential for global businesses and economies around the world to flourish. We will keep investing in our people and in our business in the U.S. Therefore, I remain confident that our footprint and commitment will continue to grow not only in the great state of South Carolina, but also in the United States in the years to come.”
BMW Plant Spartanburg has manufactured about 3,900,000 vehicles since it opened in 1994. First it built 3 Series, then roadsters, and it is now home to four—soon to be five—X vehicles, which it exports to 140 countries.
Those BMW fans who toured the factory in the early years after it opened will be amazed at how it has expanded. Plant Spartanburg is all grown up—and it's still growing.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
