BMW exports millionth auto made in South Carolina

Since announcing its arrival in South Carolina in 1992, BMW Manufacturing Co. has manufactured and exported more than 1 million vehicles. And 85% of those cars have gone through the Port of Charleston, the company announced today.

Currently, more than 70% of the vehicles produced in Spartanburg are exported to more than 120 worldwide markets. In 2009, BMW commemorated its 15-year anniversary and the production of 1.5 million vehicles.

“Our plant continues to be a highly sustainable resource within the BMW Group,” said Josef Kerscher, president of BMW Manufacturing. “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.”

Through 2009, BMW has invested more than $4 billion in South Carolina and employs about 5,000 people at the plant. According to a 2008 economic impact study by the University of South Carolina’s Moore School of Business, the factory supports 23,050 jobs and generates $1.2 billion in wages and salaries annually within the state.

The plant began production of BMW’s first full-hybrid vehicle, the BMW ActiveHybrid X6, in October 2009 and its $750 million expansion to build the next generation BMW X3 is nearly complete.

“We deeply appreciate the strong working relationship we have with BMW,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. “Collaborating with BMW to sustain their economic viability for South Carolina is very important to us.”