BMW Manufacturing Co. in South Carolina has issued a agency assertion to latest feedback made by White Home Senior Commerce Advisor Peter Navarro, who questioned BMW’s enterprise mannequin in the US throughout an interview on CNBC. Citing BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, Navarro described present international automaker operations within the U.S. as “a rip-off,” suggesting American staff are left with “hindsight” jobs whereas earnings and high-value manufacturing stay abroad.
“You are taking vehicles, what we’re doing now’s a rip-off—like BMW involves Spartanburg, South Carolina, and all we do is assemble German transmissions and autos, “Navarro mentioned. “They get all the nice jobs. They get all the nice earnings, and we get caught with a hindsight.”
BMW, which has confronted criticism from President Donald Trump previously, wasted no time in defending its legacy, footprint, and financial influence in the US. The automaker pointed to its deep funding in American manufacturing, significantly in Spartanburg—its largest manufacturing plant on this planet.
BMW Spartanburg: Extra Than Simply Meeting
In an in depth assertion, BMW outlined the size and scope of its Spartanburg operations. The plant spans over eight million sq. ft and consists of three physique retailers, two paint retailers, two meeting halls, and a steel stamping facility. Since its opening in 1992, BMW has invested greater than $14.8 billion into the ability, which now employs over 11,000 associates. The workforce builds 1,500 autos every day—roughly 400,000 per yr—with elements sourced from a whole lot of U.S. suppliers.
BMW additionally emphasised its position as a frontrunner in U.S. automotive exports. In 2024 alone, the Spartanburg plant exported roughly 225,000 autos valued at over $10 billion, sustaining its title as the biggest U.S. automotive exporter by worth. Since 2014, the plant has shipped greater than 2.7 million autos overseas, with complete export worth exceeding $104 billion.
“Plant Spartanburg isn’t just an meeting plant,” an organization spokesperson mentioned. “It’s a cornerstone of our international manufacturing community and a serious driver of financial progress in the US. We export extra autos from the U.S. than we import into the nation.” BMW manufactures the X3, X3 M, X4, X4 M, X5, X5 M, X6, X6 M, X7 and XM autos in Spartanburg.
Financial Influence and Jobs
Past manufacturing numbers, BMW highlighted the broader ripple impact of its presence in South Carolina. The plant contributes a complete financial influence of $26.7 billion to the state financial system and helps almost 43,000 jobs, producing $3.1 billion in wages and salaries. These figures stand in stark distinction to Navarro’s implication that the plant does little for American staff.
Assist from South Carolina Leaders
South Carolina’s political and enterprise management swiftly rallied behind BMW within the wake of Navarro’s remarks. “BMW has been in South Carolina for over 30 years and has confirmed to be top-of-the-line company residents in our state,” mentioned Senator Lindsey Graham on X. “Their presence is a serious profit to the South Carolina financial system, and it’s a lot appreciated.”
Congressman William Timmons echoed that assist: “I can guarantee you that BMW is sweet for South Carolina and good for America.”
A Name for Commerce Cooperation
BMW additionally used the chance to reaffirm its assist without spending a dime commerce and worldwide cooperation. The corporate urged the U.S. and EU to succeed in a transatlantic settlement that eliminates commerce boundaries and fosters mutual progress. “Free commerce and worldwide cooperation are of immense significance worldwide, serving as key drivers of progress and progress,” the corporate said. “They’ve all the time been a tenet of the BMW Group.”
[Source: WSPA]
