Spartanburg, SC – The local community was abuzz with excitement as BMW Manufacturing Co. opened the doors to their new, state-of-the-art press shop, aligning with the global unveil of the fourth-generation BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). The press shop formed part of the company’s preparations for assembly of the new BMW X3; its debut in North America graced the very opening ceremony.

This move further solidifies BMW’s commitment to the United States, marking its 30th year of successful operations. Dr. Milan Nedeljković, a member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production, expressed his anticipation about the firm’s future plans. These include the commencement of all-electric Sports Activity Vehicles’ assembly by 2026-end at the Spartanburg plant. As part of BMW’s resilience strategy, a minimum of six fully electric models will be assembled in the U.S. by the year 2030.

BMW’s new press shop will stamp sheet metal parts for the new BMW X3, boosting efficiency and precision for the hang-on parts like the vehicle’s four doors, fenders, lift gate, and exterior body sides. This high-tech facility’s opening signals a reinforcement of BMW Group’s American presence.

The press shop, which spans across an area of 219,000-square-foot, involved a hefty investment worth over $200 million. A period of 24 months witnessed transformation of this facility from initial site work preparation to stamping the first part on the press line. Alongside a substantial monetary investment, this initiation contributed to the creation of over 200 jobs in fields such as tool and die technicians and electrical and mechanical maintenance roles for automated machinery.

BMW’s steadfast local-for-local production strategy is also evident in the facility’s advanced stamping processes. Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing Co., stressed its efficacy in delivering superior quality and efficiency to BMW’s global clientele through consistent body shop parts.

The ceremony was further enhanced by the introduction of the fourth-generation BMW X3 to the audience by Dr. Robert Engelhorn and Randy Watson, regional vice president of the Southern Region for BMW of North America. BMW X3 is amongst the globally best-performing vehicles of the company. Over 1.7 million units of this model have been assembled at the Spartanburg plant since its introduction in 2010. The latest BMW X3, anticipated to hit the sales market in the fall of 2024, marked another significant milestone in the event.

Additionally, BMW also unveiled the Silver Anniversary Edition of the BMW X5. This special adventure-themed Sports Activity Vehicle will be assembled in limited quantities exclusively for the U.S. market with sales set to begin this fall. This edition marks 25 years since the assembly of the first BMW X5 at Plant Spartanburg in 1999, which initiated the Sports Activity Vehicles segment.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster took the opportunity to express pride in BMW’s first North American press shop. He emphasized how much BMW has boosted the state’s automotive profile since they established roots in South Carolina 30 years ago.

The new press shop and the unveiling of BMW X3 bring about an era of prosperity in the history of South Carolina, paving the way for a bright future full of new opportunities and advancements.