BMW Manufacturing/Fred Rollison
BMW X models waiting for export at the Port of Charleston.
Approximately 86 percent of the sports activity vehicles and coupes were exported through the Port of Charleston with an export value of $9.53 billion, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. That makes the facility the leading U.S. automotive exporter by value.
The Greer plant exported 70 percent of its total production volume of 411,171 units.
“We had a record-breaking production and export year in 2016, and these new export figures reinforce BMW’s commitment to South Carolina and the United States,” said Knudt Flor, President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing.
“Our vehicles are in high demand. Customers from 140 countries around the world are eagerly awaiting our vehicles. We build our product with precision and pride every day.”
“There’s no overstating the value BMW has brought to South Carolina since opening its doors in Spartanburg County over twenty years ago,” said Governor Henry McMaster.
“The fact that the same facility that represented such a commitment to our state is now the leading automotive exporter in the country is something that all South Carolinians should be proud of.”
BMW is adding a fifth model to its X vehicle lineup: the X7. The second phase of a new state-of-the-art body shop continues with the installation of robots and special tooling in the 1.2-million square foot facility. An additional 200,000 square feet is being added to the X5/X6 Assembly Hall – where the BMW X7 will also be built.
In 2016, the Greer plant produced a record 411,171 vehicles, confirming it as the largest by volume in the BMW Group global production network. Through 2016, the BMW Group has invested more than $7.8 billion in the facility.