BMW 2014 Export Value Surges Past $9 Billion

BMW Manufacturing Co. announced today that the export value of its passenger vehicles through the Port of Charleston in 2014 totaled $9.2 Billion, confirming the company’s South Carolina facility as the leading U.S. automotive exporter. According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, this accomplishment represents a 13% increase over BMW’s 2013 value. In 2014, nearly 250,000 vehicles were exported from its South Carolina plant, over 70% of the plant’s total volume.

“Claiming the top spot for U.S. automobile exports rounds out a very successful year for BMW in South Carolina. With nearly 350,000 units, 2014 was also a record production year for the plant,” said Manfred Erlacher, President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. “Our company’s significant contribution to the U.S. balance of trade strengthens our position as the leading manufacturer of premium vehicles for the world.”

BMW’s being loaded at The Port of Charleston.

BMW Manufacturing currently produces more than 1,200 vehicles each day and is the exclusive exporter of passenger vehicles to more than 140 global markets. In 2014, the plant celebrated two decades of production, announced a $1 Billion investment and a production capacity increase to 450,000 vehicles that will make the Spartanburg plant the largest BMW plant in the world.

Governor Nikki Haley applauded the economic success saying, “South Carolina’s exports continue to grow because we have built a reputation around the world as a great place to do business. The fact that we continue to break export records is a real reason to celebrate in South Carolina because it’s a testament to our world-class workforce and business-friendly climate. Our economy is on the move, and we’re just getting started.”

“BMW vehicles, world renowned for their brand and quality, continue to be a major contributor to the South Carolina Ports Authority’s overall success,” added Jim Newsome, President and CEO, South Carolina Ports Authority. “We are proud to handle both finished vehicles and parts for BMW, whose presence in South Carolina endorses the capabilities of our ports and logistics infrastructure.”

BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC

BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC is a subsidiary of BMW AG in Munich, Germany and is the global producer of the BMW X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X4 and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. In addition to the South Carolina manufacturing facility, BMW Group North American subsidiaries include sales, marketing and financial services operations in the United States, Canada and throughout Latin America; and a design firm and technology office in California. For more information on BMW Manufacturing, visit www.bmwusfactory.com.

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BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 and X4 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 339 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 146 BMW motorcycle retailers, 122 MINI passenger car dealers, and 35 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at: www.bmwgroupna.com.