BMW to Finalize Expansion of Largest Production Plant

Back in 2015, BMW set out to begin working on expanding its largest production plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina; and, as of this year, the automaker is set to complete such an expansion. “We are very fortunate that […] years ago, the company decided to go to the United States and build a plant at a time when everyone was withdrawing,” said Ludwig Willisch, CEO of BMW North America in an interview with Automotive News. “It was not only a brave move, but it shows how right the move was. It is a big, important footprint for us.”

BMW’s plant in Spartanburg, SC, which was the automaker’s first in North America, was first established in 1994, and the first United States-built vehicle to be produced by the plant was a 318i. Eventually, as the years went on, BMW’s Spartanburg plant saw the production of pretty much the entirety of the X series of crossovers. Today, the plant is home to the X3, X4, X5, and X6, with the expectance of the X7 (which is BMW’s largest SUV as of recently) to join production sometime in 2018.

According to BMW, the Spartanburg plant has produced an astonishing 3.3 million vehicles since 1994, making the location the German automaker’s “center of competence,” with regard to crossover production according to company executives. Too, as of last year, BMW Manufacturing Co. noted that the export value of the vehicles it produced in Spartanburg, South Carolina was approximately $9.8 billion. This figure, of course, “confirm[s] the company’s South Carolina facility as the leading [United States] automotive exporter by value,” according to BMW.

Of course, the investment numbers for BMW with regard to the Spartanburg sight are quite large, hovering around $6.3 billion since 1992. But, seeing as that number is quite a bit less than the figures given for what the plant has made since 1992, it would certainly be safe to say that the investment has already panned out in the long run. The expansion, however, will look toward an even bigger return value. Back in March, the Spartanburg, South Carolina plant produced its 3 millionth vehicle, which is quite a feet in and of itself, and this expansion ensure the largest production plant is here to stay for at least 3 million more.

All in all, the Spartanburg plant is one of BMW’s most flexible, employing a two-line assembly system that makes for quick adjustments with regard to market demands, as well as for the plant to be capable of building to order.

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