While GreerToday has promoted HereInGreer for years and the Greer Chamber proudly boasts its GreerMade initiative, it all adds up to one gigantic economic engine that resonates throughout the world.
The 4,000,000th vehicle is a Phytonic Blue Metallic BMW X3 xDrive M40i equipped with Vernasca Cognac leather interior. It will be shipped to a dealer in Vienna, Austria.
It all began exactly 23 years ago, on Sept. 8, 1994, when Ryan Childers drove the first BMW – a 318i – off the assembly line.
“This achievement reflects the commitment and dedication of every associate to produce premium quality vehicles,” Knudt Flor, President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing, said.
“Customers around the world love our products, and our X models are an important part of the company’s success,” Flor said.
BMW announced in June it will invest an additional $600 million in the Greer plant from 2018 through 2021 for manufacturing infrastructure for future generations of X models. An additional 1,000 jobs will also be added through 2021, according to BMW.
BMW produces 1,400 vehicles each day. The models include the X3, X4, X5 and X6 Sports Activity Vehicles and coupes (and their variants). Last year, 411,171 vehicles, were produced here in Greer making it the largest BMW plant in the world by volume.
The expansion of BMW has increased the production through the years.
• 1 millionth BMW – February 28, 2006 – Z4 M Roadster • 1.5 million– September 8, 2009 – BMW X6 xDrive35i
• 2 Millionth – January 12, 2012 – BMW X3 xDrive35i
• 2.5 Millionth – September 17, 2013 – BMW X5 xDrive50i
• 3 Millionth BMW – March 24, 2015 – BMW X5 M
• 3.5 Millionth BMW – May 18, 2016 – BMW X4 xDrive20i
• 4 Millionth – September 8, 2017 – BMW X3 xDrive M40i
Note: BMW Manufacturing Co. has its address here in Greer. Spartanburg County officials enjoy Greer's location in its county and markets BMW as its brand.