Automotive Industry

With an economic impact of more than $27 billion, the automotive industry is now an integral part of the state’s economy. As a result, a wide range of leading companies in automotive manufacturing and production are based in South Carolina.

It all started in 1994, when the first South Carolina-made BMW rolled off the assembly line at the company’s Upstate manufacturing facility. More than two decades later, South Carolina has become a leader in automotive manufacturing. Our technically skilled workforce has made the Palmetto State the US export automotive leader in completed passenger vehicles. Moreover, the state also ranks first in both the production and export of tires, accounting for nearly one-third of the US market share.

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Mercedes-Benz Vans

Merecedes' next generation eSprinter will be produced in North Charleston, SC. As one of three sites, production in SC will be starting in the second half of 2023. The next generation of the eSprinter will help to develop new markets for Mercedes, with a focus on the USA and Canada.

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Why Is SC Just Right for Automotive?

#1

in the export sales of both tires and completed passenger vehicles

75,000

people in the automotive industry workforce

13,539

jobs added in automotive from 2017–2022

$9.6 billion

in capital investment from 2017–2022

133,000

tires produced each day in South Carolina

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Automotive Manufacturer Snapshots

BMW Magna Mercedes-Benz Van Group Volvo

BMW

“The BMW Group is known worldwide for the outstanding quality produced by its press shops. We are excited to add this new technology to Plant Spartanburg. This investment reinforces BMW’s commitment in the United States and South Carolina. We continue to play a major role in the region’s economic strength as well as workforce development and job training.”

-BMW Manufacturing Co. President and CEO Robert Engelhorn

Magna

“[Magna has] a strong leadership team and a highly skilled workforce which is dedicated to world-class manufacturing and has a clear mission: to be the premier seat supplier to our customers here in South Carolina and around the world.”

–President of Magna Seating Mike Bisson

Mercedes-Benz Van Group

"The USA is already the second largest market for our Sprinter today. With the new, state-of-the-art production site in South Carolina, we will be able to supply our customers in North America even faster and with more flexibility in the future. This makes better use of the dynamic market potential, placing our new plant in North Charleston as a central component of our growth strategy ‘Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global’,” said Mercedes-Benz Vans Head Volker Mornhinweg.

Volvo

"Today's [expansion] announcement not only underscores Volvo's commitment to the United States, but also our commitment to South Carolina. This now brings our total investment to more than $1 billion dollars and adds nearly 2,000 jobs."

- Volvo Cars of North America President and CEO Lex Kerssemakers

BMW