BMW X5

Photo: Automotive Intelligence

The announcement was made at the grand opening of the South Carolina Department of Commerce's European office, which has been moved from Frankfurt to Munich, Germany.  

"Over the next few years, we will invest an additional $300 million at our South Carolina facility---an amount equal to our original investment," said Dr. Norbert Reithofer, BMW Board of Management Member responsible for worldwide production. Dr. Reithofer is a former president of BMW Manufacturing and was appointed to the management board in March. Joining Dr. Reithofer for the announcement was South Carolina Governor James Hodges, Secretary of Commerce Charles S. Way Jr. and BMW Manufacturing Corp. President Dr. Helmut Leube.  

Dr. Reithofer said the modifications to the factory's manufacturing areas will provide "the flexibility and capability needed for the preparation and production of exciting new models we are now developing."  

The 500 jobs will be added to support the growing demand for BMW's X5 sports activity vehicle worldwide. The X5 went on sale in the United States in December 1999 and began appearing in European dealerships in May.

"By the end of the year, 3,500 South Carolinians will have high-wage, high-skill jobs at BMW, demonstrating again that BMW's success is South Carolina's success," said Governor Hodges. "We have all witnessed the economic transformation that began with BMW's announcement in 1992 and still continues to bring exceptional achievement and world-class craftsmanship home to South Carolina. We are delighted to share in their achievement today." 

"BMW's deep commitment to South Carolina continues to strengthen bringing the entire state prosperity through direct and indirect benefits including contributions to our schools and communities and through the 36 BMW suppliers that also invested and created new jobs and opportunities here in the Palmetto State," said Secretary of Commerce Charles S. Way Jr.  

BMW has invested more than $1.4 billion in its 2.3 million square-foot factory and more than 3,000 associates work at the plant located off Interstate 85 between Greenville and Spartanburg in upstate South Carolina. 

Thirty-six suppliers are located in South Carolina within a few hours drive on the plant, and 26 chose to locate North American operations in the state to partner with BMW. And those suppliers employ about 4,700 workers and have invested more than $1 billion in their South Carolina operations.  

The South Carolina factory is the sole producer of Z3 roadsters and coupes, M (Motorsport) roadsters and coupes and the X5 sports activity vehicles for worldwide distribution.  

(June 27, 2000)