In 2009, BMW celebrated 15 years of activity in South Carolina and also reached a production milestone of 1.5 million vehicles. Spartanburg is the company's only U.S. manufacturing facility and the factory has confirmed its commitment to the state of South Carolina by continuing its partnership with the South Carolina State Ports Authority. Until now, 85 percent of the exports have gone through the port of Charleston.
“Our plant continues to be a highly sustainable resource within the BMW Group. The vehicles we produce are driven around the globe and we recognize the vital partnerships we have that enable us to reach our customers everywhere they are. The Port of Charleston continues to efficiently serve our needs to meet ever-changing market demands and they will continue to be a key port for BMW in the future,” said Josef Kerscher, President of BMW Manufacturing, quoted in a press release.
“We deeply appreciate the strong working relationship we have with BMW,” added Jim Newsome, President & CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. “Collaborating with BMW to sustain their economic viability for South Carolina is very important to us.”
BMW has invested until now over $4 billion in South Carolina and employs about 5,000 people at the plant. According to an economic impact study on the plant in 2008, the factory supports 23,050 jobs and generates $1.2 billion in wages and salaries annually within the state.
In 2009, the Spartanburg facility started the production of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and its $750 million expansion to build the next generation X3 is almost complete.
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