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South Carolina
Download 2022 Economic Impact Report
South Carolina Economic Impact
Last year, international automakers created 79,117 local jobs in the Palmetto State, directly employing 15,221 South Carolinians. The state is home to BMW Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz Vans, and a new Volvo Car USA plant. The South Carolina state economic impact report highlights this and other examples of the economic growth occurring across South Carolina thanks to international automakers.
Production
498,546
vehicles produced in 2021
100
total auto production
$14.6B
purchased from U.S. suppliers
Employment
79,083 total jobs generated in South Carolina
15,221 direct employment
8,308 dealership jobs
55,588 other indirect employment
$5.2 billion total employee compensation
$620 million dealership employee compensation
$4.6 billion in direct and other indirect employee compensation
Green Sales
*Retail and fleet sales CY2021 for Acura, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Ferrari, Fiat, Honda, Hyundai, Genesis, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Karma, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Lotus, Maserati, Mazda, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Scion, smart, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo Cars. Source: Experian Information Solutions, Inc.
Sales
150
international nameplate dealerships
128,100
new vehicles registered in 2021
61%
market share of vehicles sold
International Automakers’ Vehicles Made in South Carolina

BMW X5 PHEV*

Volvo S60 PHEV

Volvo S60 Sedan*

Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo**

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo**

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger**

BMW X3*

BMW X4*

BMW X5*

BMW X6*

BMW X7*
Revenue
The operations and related activities of international automakers and auto dealers in the U.S. contributed $10.2 billion (3.8%) to South Carolina Gross State Product (GSP) in 2021.
International Automakers Facilities
Manufacturing |
Location | State |
---|---|---|
BMW Manufacturing Co. | Greer | SC |
Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC | Ladson | SC |
Volvo Car Industrial Operations | Ridgeville | SC |
R&D |
Location | State |
---|---|---|
BMW Group Information Technology Research Center | Greenville | SC |
Sales/Training/Zone Office |
Location | State |
---|---|---|
BMW North America Training Center | Greer | SC |
Volvo Car University | Ridgeville | SC |
Volvo Manufacturing Training Center | Ridgeville | SC |
Volvo South Carolina Technical Center | Ridgeville | SC |
Parts Center |
Location | State |
---|---|---|
BMW of North America Continental Distribution Center | Spartanburg | SC |
Nissan Parts Distribution Center | Greenville | SC |
Other |
Location | State |
---|---|---|
BMW Performance Center | Greer | SC |
Mercedes-Benz USA Marshalling Yard | Ladson | SC |
Volvo Car US Operations | Summerville | SC |
Programs and Partnerships
Workforce Development |
Location | State |
---|---|---|
BMW Manufacturing Co.: BMW Scholars Program | Greer | SC |
BMW Manufacturing Co.: BMW Management Development Program | Greer | SC |
BMW Manufacturing Co.: Road to Production Management | Greer | SC |
BMW Manufacturing Co.: Equipment Services Associate Development Program | Greer | SC |
BMW Manufacturing Co.: BMW PACE Program | Greer | SC |
BMW of North America, LLC: The BMW Automotive Service Technician Education Program (STEP) | Greer | SC |
BMW of North America, LLC and BMW Retail Centers: BMW Group University | Greer | SC |
Apprenticeship Carolina | Columbia | SC |
Maintenance Apprenticeship Program | Ridgeville | SC |
OTJ Training | Ridgeville | SC |
Leadership Program | Ridgeville | SC |
Trident Technical Community College | North Charleston | SC |
readySC | Columbia | SC |