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BMW Celebrates 3 Million Cars Made in South Carolina

The SUV segment is growing by the day and sales are going through the roof, no matter what size they are. BMW is feeling that too and their South Carolina plant (that is building X cars exclusively) just celebrated 3 million cars made.
BMW X5 M, the 3 Millionth car made in Spartanburg 1 photo
Photo: BMW
When the original X5 was revealed back in 1999 the world thought BMW had gone crazy. 16 years later, their SUV division is doing better than a lot of other models. Of course, that’s only understandable as the Germans have died down their DNA quite a lot by introducing all sorts of niche-occupying autos like the 2 Series Active Tourer.

Moving on, the plant celebrated the event yesterday in the presence of important people. Manfred Erlacher, President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing was on the set as well as South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt and Jim Newsome, President and CEO of South Carolina Ports Authority.

The three millionth car that rolled off the assembly line was a BMW F85 X5 M in Donington Grey Metallic with Mugello Red Full merino leather seats and carbon fiber interior trims. As this was a special car, it was driven off the plant’s line by Dawn Burgess, Associate #433, one of the few employees that has been with the brand since 1994. The car will now be shipped over in Sweden, Kristianstad to be more exact, where its customer is waiting for it.

What you should know is that in the past, the Spartanburg plant wasn’t focused only on X cars. The first car ever made here was an Alpine White BMW E36 318i in September 1994. The one millionth car was an Interlagos Blue Z4 M in February 2006 while the two millionth one was a Vermillion Red X3 in January 2012.

“The growth of this plant has been quite extraordinary,” said Erlacher. ”Today, as we witness another historic moment, I am delighted to announce that BMW’s profound impact in South Carolina continues. I am grateful for our dedicated associates and their commitment to building premium vehicles for the world.”

Things are looking even better for the Spartanburg plant. BMW just announced that it will be investing an additional $1 billion into its production capabilities and that the future X7 will be built there. The capacity will be reaching 450,000 units per year, becoming the biggest such facility outside Germany.
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