South Carolina

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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.

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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

10,088

international automakers* green vehicle sales

71%

international automakers green vehicle market share

*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

$809 million

in state and local tax receipts and other revenues

$1.2 billion

in federal tax receipts and other revenues for the federal government

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