BMW is technically a German automaker, but much of its lineup is made in the U.S. The company has once again been named the largest U.S. automotive exporter by volume
BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is the home to most BMW SUVs. In 2019, Plant Spartanburg exported 246,014 BMW X Models with a total export value of approximately $9.6 billion according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Most of the SUVs all left the country via ports in Savannah, Georgia; Brunswick, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; Miami, Florida; and Everglades, Florida. Additionally, 18,000 were exported via rail.
The BMW X3 M40i is just one of the models the automaker produces I South Carolina.Photo courtesy of BMW
“Every day, the Plant Spartanburg team produces five top-selling BMW X models, four Motorsport X models and two plug-in hybrid X models sold in more than 125 countries around the world,” said Knudt Flor, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. “In addition to being the largest U.S. automotive exporter by value, our plant continues to be the largest facility in BMW’s global production network. These achievements are significant and clearly reinforce BMW’s ongoing commitment in the United States.
In 2019, BMW Manufacturing produced a record 411,620 BMW X Models. They also launched a number of SUVs including:
- (April) Launch of the first-ever BMW X3 M and BMW X4 M
- (August) Launch of the third-generation BMW X6
- (August) Launch of BMW X5 xDrive45e (second generation plug-in hybrid electric vehicle)
- (December) Launch of first-ever BMW X3 xDrive30e (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle)
- (December) Launch of the third-generation BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M
- First full production year for the first-ever BMW X7.
“For more than 25 years, S.C. Ports Authority has had a strong partnership with BMW Manufacturing,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of S.C. Ports Authority. “Our Inland Port Greer operation brings vehicles from the Upstate to the Lowcountry via rail, and the Port of Charleston enables BMW to export 70% of its South Carolina-made vehicles to more than 125 countries. The automotive manufacturing sector is a vital part of our state’s economy. We are proud to support the shipping needs of the automotive industry, and we look forward to future success and growth for BMW.”
From 2010 – 2019, BMW Group Plant Spartanburg exported 2,285,285 vehicles out of 3,335,871 total vehicles produced. This means nearly 70 percent of the plant’s total production was exported during the decade. Later in 2020, the plant will celebrate a significant production milestone as it produces the five millionth BMW built in South Carolina.
BMW Group Plant Spartanburg produces more than 1,500 vehicles each day and has an annual capacity of up to 450,000 vehicles. The factory employs more than 11,000 people.
