BMW Manufacturing is Largest Automotive Exporter in the US - 8 Years In A Row

[BMWGirlFL]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Eight Years in a Row: BMW Manufacturing is Largest Automotive Exporter in the United States.

Export Value From South Carolina Plant Totals More Than $10.1 Billion.
More Than 257,000 BMW X Vehicles Exported in 2021.
Production of All-New BMW XM Begins in Late 2022.

BMW Manufacturing led the nation in automotive exports by value for the eighth consecutive year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. During 2021, Plant Spartanburg exported 257,876 BMWs with a total export value of more than $10.1 billion. The BMWs produced in Spartanburg, South Carolina, were exported to about 120 countries primarily through the Port of Charleston, SC (nearly 219,000 units), through five additional southeastern ports – Savannah, GA; Brunswick, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Miami, FL; and Everglades, FL – and by rail to Canada.

The top five export countries from BMW Manufacturing were China (24.1% of export volume), Germany (12.3%), South Korea (9.4%), Canada (5.6%), and Great Britain (5.4%).

“Free trade and open markets are essential for global businesses and economies to grow. It is the reason BMW and South Carolina have been successful,” said Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production. “Plant Spartanburg contributes greatly to the success of the BMW Group. They are the center of competence for our X family of vehicles. They have world-class people who build world-class products. I congratulate our 11,000 associates for this achievement, and I thank our partners throughout South Carolina for their outstanding support.”

“Claiming the top spot for U.S. automobile exports by value rounds out a very successful year for Plant Spartanburg. I’m incredibly proud of our associates and the resilience they have shown the past year,” said Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. “This achievement demonstrates BMW’s trusted partnership with this state and its continued commitment to the United States.”

In 2021, BMW Manufacturing set a new production record with 433,810 BMW X vehicles produced. From that number, 179,840 X vehicles were sold in the United States, making up 53.4% of all BMW brand sales. The top two BMW models sold in America were the BMW X3 and BMW X5. Significant highlights during the year included:

Announcement of a new model – the BMW XM, the first electrified high-performance model in the BMW M portfolio – to begin production in late 2022.
Launch of updated 2022 versions of the BMW X3, BMW X3 M, BMW X4, and BMW X4 M
National recognition – Three BMW X models earned J.D. Power Awards for Initial Quality Study (IQS) and Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL).
Announcement of a new logistics center that will go into operation in the summer of 2022.
Announcement of a new technical training center that will open in the fall of 2022.

“Nearly 29 years ago, BMW decided to invest in South Carolina, and that investment – and the many investments that followed – have paid enormous dividends for BMW and the people of our state,” said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. “BMW has shown the world that the combination of South Carolina’s world-class ports, dedicated workforce, and pro-business climate leads to unmatched performance. The importance of our partnership and the impact they have had on South Carolina cannot be understated.”

BMW’s record-setting performance is a testament to the commitment between the company and the state of South Carolina,” said South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. “To remain a global leader in the export sales of completed passenger vehicles, particularly during a challenging year for the manufacturing supply chain, speaks to the reliable and world-class automotive manufacturing ecosystem in South Carolina. We’re grateful to continue building upon our long partnership with BMW for many more years of success.”

“Congratulations to BMW Manufacturing on being named the largest U.S. automotive exporter by value for the eighth consecutive year. The automotive manufacturing sector is a vital asset to our state’s economy, and we’re proud to support the shipping needs of this industry,” said Jim Newsome, South Carolina Ports President and CEO. “South Carolina Ports has had a strong partnership with BMW Manufacturing for more than 25 years. We look forward to continued success and growth with BMW.”

Since 1992, the BMW Group has invested nearly $12 billion in its South Carolina factory. BMW Manufacturing is the largest BMW Group plant in the world, producing more than 1,500 vehicles each day. The plant exports nearly 60 percent of its vehicles to about 120 global markets. For eight consecutive years, it has been the largest exporter by value in the United States. The model portfolio includes five top-selling BMW X models, four Motorsport X models, and two plug-in hybrid electric vehicle X models. The factory has a production capacity of up to 450,000 vehicles and employs more than 11,000 people.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/a...-united-states

[its55]

That's pretty damn impressive and interesting.

[M3AWD]

Meanwhile some people buy a Ford or Chevy to support the American economy & jobs :

[G30 B58]

One more reason to do Perf Center Delivery, to see some of the manufacturing floor there is amazing.

[KevinC]

Bubba Makes Wheels® baby!!

[AlexFL]

Buy American, buy BMW.

[cfm56d7b]

These are very impressive statistics which highlight a larger story:

"Since 1992, the BMW Group has invested nearly $12 billion in its South Carolina factory. BMW Manufacturing is the largest BMW Group plant in the world, producing more than 1,500 vehicles each day. The plant exports nearly 60 percent of its vehicles to about 120 global markets. For eight consecutive years, it has been the largest exporter by value in the United States. The model portfolio includes five top-selling BMW X models, four Motorsport X models, and two plug-in hybrid electric vehicle X models. The factory has a production capacity of up to 450,000 vehicles and employs more than 11,000 people."

Since more than half of the output is exported to 120 global markets, the factory in South Carolina has to successfully manufacturer many product variations while managing the supply chain of different parts.

The economic value brought to the US by a network of suppliers and parts is still significant even if the parts arrive from other parts of the world.

Nice work BMW Group.

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

These are very impressive statistics which highlight a larger story:

"Since 1992, the BMW Group has invested nearly $12 billion in its South Carolina factory. BMW Manufacturing is the largest BMW Group plant in the world, producing more than 1,500 vehicles each day. The plant exports nearly 60 percent of its vehicles to about 120 global markets. For eight consecutive years, it has been the largest exporter by value in the United States. The model portfolio includes five top-selling BMW X models, four Motorsport X models, and two plug-in hybrid electric vehicle X models. The factory has a production capacity of up to 450,000 vehicles and employs more than 11,000 people."

Since more than half of the output is exported to 120 global markets, the factory in South Carolina has to successfully manufacturer many product variations while managing the supply chain of different parts.

The economic value brought to the US by a network of suppliers and parts is still significant even if the parts arrive from other parts of the world.

Nice work BMW Group.

The locals know who butters their bread. It's obvious.

[NightWriter]

Just a small caveat to this record: This headline is a little misleading since BMW brags about being the largest export "by value." A BMW factory worker does not get paid twice as much as a Ford factory worker (nor are there twice as many of them) just because the car sells for twice as much. To take this claim to its logical if silly conclusion, if someone manufactured a single car that costs $10.2B and sold it to someone abroad, they would take this record away from BMW.

That pesky fact aside, BMW definitely bears a strong economic impact to SC. In addition to the 11k employees there, a number of suppliers have set up shop nearby:

https://www.supplychaindive.com/news...in-hub/587246/

[Game]

Nearly a quarter of the cars out of SC go to China, that's pretty insane.

[agentrnge]

Neat. That they export back to Germany (12.3%) is a surprise.

[Alpine300zhp]

Originally Posted by agentrnge

Neat. That they export back to Germany (12.3%) is a surprise.

The SUV's are only made in the USA hence why they export to Germany (and every other market that sells BMW SUV autos).

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

A BMW factory worker does not get paid twice as much as a Ford factory worker

Ford moved 90% of their North American manufacturing to Mexico. So you're right, the BMW worker doesn't get twice as much, more like 5X what the Mexican worker receives.

[Holset]

Haha kind of funny!

[Alpine300zhp]

Originally Posted by Al Pin　

Ford moved 90% of their North American manufacturing to Mexico. So you're right, the BMW worker doesn't get twice as much, more like 5X what the Mexican worker receives.

Gives a whole new spin to "buy American" doesn't it? My X6M was more of an American car than some cars sold by the Big 3.

[Alpine300zhp]

Originally Posted by Game

Nearly a quarter of the cars out of SC go to China, that's pretty insane.

It's been that way for some time now. China is a big market for BMW.

[Luminor513]

Built BMW tough….Hmmmm doesn't have the same ring

[WickedBMW]

There goes that exclusivity. BMW is the new Ford.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Any way you slice it, those numbers are certainly impressive & noteworthy. I guess I can't complain too much that the X3 M Competition badge on my nice SAV was in the wrong location / place now... !

[maenuuu]

Originally Posted by Alpine300zhp

The SUV's are only made in the USA hence why they export to Germany (and every other market that sells BMW SUV autos).

Not entirely true: the G01 X3 is also built in Rosslyn, South Africa and the G18 X5 EWB will be built in Shenyang, China for the local market.

[Alpine300zhp]

Originally Posted by maenuuu

Not entirely true: the G01 X3 is also built in Rosslyn, South Africa and the G18 X5 EWB will be built in Shenyang, China for the local market.

Ahh. I wasn't aware of this new development.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by maenuuu

Not entirely true: the G01 X3 is also built in Rosslyn, South Africa and the G18 X5 EWB will be built in Shenyang, China for the local market.

Your current and former fleet of BMW vehicles is impressive to
say the least. Wow.