BMW adds 200 more jobs to the Upstate

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) — With the addition of 200 jobs, the BMW press shop is a $200 million investment right here in the Upstate.

Celebrating 30 years of assembling BMW’s for the world, the company continues to evolve.

“We invested over 30 billion U.S. dollars right here in South Carolina, in Spartanburg,” President And CEO of BMW Manufacturing, Robert Engelhorn said. “We employ over 11,000 associates right now and this will continue.”

A continued path of success, not just for BMW and their employees but for residents all over South Carolina and beyond.

“Half the cars made in this facility are sold overseas,” U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said. “They go through the Port of Charleston. BMW is one of the biggest customers in the Port of Charleston so one thing in the Upstate affects something in the low country, which affects the world.”

A ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of the first BMW Press Shop in North America.

BMW leaders say the press shop allows the automotive production process to begin.

Large steel coils are unloaded and fed down a line that runs quickly enough for up to 10,000 parts to be processed each day.

“it is all about people,” Engelhorn said. “We have the best people in the world right here in Spartanburg. People make a difference.”

State leaders, like Governor Henry McMaster agree that the hard working people of South Carolina are a continued reason people want to bring their companies here.

“On behalf of 5.3 million proud happy South Carolinians, this plant and those of you who work here have been a model for South Carolina for all these years and it has paid off,” McMaster said.

The ceremony also showcased the next BMW X3 and limited-edition BMW X5.

By 2030 BMW says they will assemble at least six fully electric models in the U.S. The high voltage batteries will come from Woodruff where they tell us an assembly plant  is currently being built.

“Spartanburg now leads the BMW family in terms of cars made,” Graham said. “Probably one of the most important decisions made for a South Carolina business was for BMW to come to South Carolina 30 years ago and put us on the map.”

BWW Says in their 30 years in South Carolina they have assembled more than 6.7 million BMW’S.