BMW keeps title as No. 1 vehicle exporter in U.S.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — BMW’s plant in South Carolina has steadily increased its export activity and this year projects to export 70% of some 300,000 motor vehicles through the Port of Charleston.

South Carolina-made BMWs arrive by rail at the Port of Charleston before being loaded onto ocean-going car carriers. (Photo/Port of Charleston)

Staff Report
Published Sept. 26, 2012

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — BMW Manufacturing reported last week that the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones recognized the company as its Exporter of the Year. In addition, the association recognized BMW as the recipient of its Export Achievement Award for being the member that showed the most improvement in value.

A BMW X3 is positioned to roll onto a cargo ship at the Port of Charleston. (Photo/Port of Charleston)

BMW’s plant in South Carolina has steadily increased its export activity. According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, based on the 2011 value of BMW exports from South Carolina, the company's Spartanburg facility is the largest automotive exporter from the U.S.

BMW’s plant in Spartanburg produces more than 1,000 vehicles a day and is the exclusive exporter of X3 and X5 sports activity vehicles and the X6 sports activity coupe through the Port of Charleston. This year, the plant is projected to produce more than 300,000 vehicles and will ship 70% of those cars to more than 130 global markets.

“We are very proud of our accomplishments,” said Sky Foster, manager for corporate communications at BMW Manufacturing. “I wish to thank our associates, tier 1 suppliers and the South Carolina Ports Authority for their support in our shared success.”

Lewis Leibowitz, the association’s chairman, said the foreign trade zone program has “proven to be especially successful to ensure the U.S. remains a strong global competitor. BMW’s plant in South Carolina continues to be a leader in the passenger vehicle segment, and we applaud their results.”

The plant began vehicle production in 1994. In the last 18 years, BMW Manufacturing has produced more than 2 million vehicles.

Earlier this year, the company announced another $900 million expansion to increase capacity to 350,000 units by 2014, and will bring a new model to its Spartanburg operation.

The plant shipped 192,000 vehicles through the Port of Charleston last year, a 75% increase compared with 110,000 vehicles in 2010. Its exports were valued at $7.4 billion in 2011, compared with $4.4 billion a year ago.