SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 27, 2025 – BMW Manufacturing has once again solidified its position as the top automotive exporter by value in the United States, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. This announcement, originally dated February 26, 2025, from Spartanburg, S.C., underscores the company's significant contribution to the U.S. economy and its global reach.
Record-Breaking Export Figures
In 2024, Plant Spartanburg exported nearly 225,000 BMW Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes, achieving an export value exceeding $10 billion. Over the past decade, from 2014 to 2024, the plant has exported more than 2.7 million BMWs, representing approximately 63 percent of its total production, with a cumulative export value surpassing $104 billion. These figures highlight the plant’s crucial role within the BMW Group’s global production network.
Strategic Export Operations
The BMW vehicles assembled at the South Carolina facility were primarily shipped through the Port of Charleston, SC, complemented by exports via ports in Brunswick, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Everglades, FL; and Baltimore, MD. Notably, nearly 15,000 BMWs were transported by rail. The primary export destinations included Germany, South Korea, China, Canada, and Great Britain.
Leadership Perspectives
“Plant Spartanburg has been an important location in our production network for over 30 years and is now the largest BMW Group plant globally,” explained Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Production. “The strong export share of our plant underlines the importance of free trade for the USA. Not only does this benefit our plant, but also the strong supplier network in the region.”
Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing, added, “When the first BMW rolled off the assembly line in 1994, it was the beginning of a great legacy for Plant Spartanburg in the United States. Our dedicated associates have assembled nearly seven million BMWs, and because of our export success, millions of customers around the world experience the innovative technology and premium quality of our X vehicles. Our achievement as the country’s leading automotive exporter demonstrates BMW’s trusted partnership with this state and our continued commitment to the United States.”
2024 Plant Highlights and Expansion
The BMW Manufacturing team assembled 396,117 Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes in 2024, with over 57,000 of those being plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, accounting for more than 14 percent of the plant’s total volume. Nearly 50 percent of all BMWs sold in the U.S. were assembled at Plant Spartanburg.
Key achievements from 2024 include:
- Launch of the Fourth-Generation BMW X3: The plant successfully launched the new X3, a top-selling model in the U.S.
- Opening of the North American Press Shop: BMW inaugurated its first press shop in North America, enhancing its manufacturing capabilities.
- Expansion for Electric Vehicle Assembly: The X3/X4 assembly hall expanded significantly to prepare for the assembly of fully electric BMWs, slated to begin in late 2026. By 2030, the BMW Group aims to assemble at least six fully electric models in the U.S.
- Construction of the High-Voltage Battery Plant: Progress continued at Plant Woodruff, BMW’s new $700 million high-voltage battery assembly plant, which will supply batteries for the electric vehicles produced at Plant Spartanburg.
- Body Shop and Storage Expansion: The main body shop underwent a 300,000-square-foot expansion, and a new eight-story body shop stacker for vehicle storage was completed.
State and Commerce Recognition
“South Carolina's position as a stronghold for the United States' automotive industry can be traced directly to BMW's success in our state. The BMW models assembled at Plant Spartanburg are in global demand — shipping to markets around the world,” said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. “We are proud to have a company as committed to the prosperity of its community, the success of its employees, and the innovation of its industry right here in South Carolina. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones with BMW in the years ahead.”
Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III stated, "Over the past decade, much of BMW's global success can be traced to the strength of Plant Spartanburg, where world-class advanced automotive manufacturing, employee upskilling, and research and development are happening in real-time. South Carolina is proud of its legacy companies, like BMW, and S.C. Commerce remains a steadfast champion for the success of all businesses, no matter where they fall in their legacy journey. We are proud to be home to one of the most dynamic automotive industries in the nation, thanks to leaders like BMW."
Commitment and Investment
Since 1992, the BMW Group has invested over $14.8 billion in its South Carolina operations. BMW Manufacturing, the largest BMW Group plant globally, assembles over 1,500 vehicles daily. The plant plays a vital role in meeting the global demand for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes. Nearly 57 percent of its vehicles are shipped to approximately 120 global markets, maintaining BMW’s status as the largest automotive exporter by value in the U.S. for over a decade. In 2024, almost 50 percent of BMW vehicles sold in the U.S. originated from Plant Spartanburg.
About BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC
BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, a subsidiary of BMW AG, assembles BMW X3, X5, X5 M, X7, and XM Sports Activity Vehicles and BMW X4, X4 M, X6, and X6 M Sports Activity Coupes. The plant has an annual production capacity of up to 450,000 vehicles and employs more than 11,000 people.
BMW Group in the United States
BMW of North America, LLC, established 50 years ago, supports the sales, marketing, and distribution of BMW automobiles and motorcycles in the U.S. The BMW Group has a nationwide corporate footprint, contributing significantly to the U.S. economy.
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