South Carolina

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South Carolina Economic Impact

Last year, international automakers created 76,647 local jobs in the Palmetto State, directly employing 15,420 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

485,291

vehicles produced in 2022

100%

total auto production

$6.2B

purchased from U.S. suppliers

Sales

151

international nameplate dealerships

111,469

new vehicles registered in 2022

58%

market share of vehicles sold

Green Sales

11,441

international automakers* green vehicle sales

69%

international automakers green vehicle market share

*Retail and fleet sales CY2022 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.

Employment

76,647 total jobs generated in South Carolina

15,420 direct employment

8,432 dealership jobs

52,789 other indirect employment

$5.5 billion total employee compensation

$715 million dealership employee compensation

$4.8 billion in direct and other indirect employee compensation

Revenue

$1 billion

in state and local tax receipts and other revenues

$2.1 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 $11 billion (3.7%) to South Carolina Gross State Product (GSP) in 2022.

International Automakers’ Vehicles Made in South Carolina

BMW X3 PHEV*

BMW X5 PHEV*

BMW XM 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*

International Automakers Facilities

Manufacturing	Location	State
Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC	Ladson	SC
Volvo Car U.S. Operations	Ridgeville	SC
BMW Manufacturing Corp, LLC	Greer	SC
BMW Manufacturing Corp, LLC	Woodruff	SC
BMW Manufacturing Corp, LLC	Florence	SC

R&D	Location	State
BMW Group Information Technology Research Center	Greenville	SC

Sales/Training/Zone Office	Location	State
Volvo Car Manufacturing Training Center	Ridgeville	SC
Volvo Car University	Ridgeville	SC
Volvo South Carolina Technical Center	Ridgeville	SC
BMW North America Training Center	Greer	SC

Parts Center	Location	State
Nissan Parts Distribution Center	Greenville	SC
BMW of North America Continental Distribution Center	Spartanburg	SC

Other	Location	State
Mercedes-Benz USA Marshalling Yard	Ladson	SC
BMW Performance Center	Greer	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
Trident Technical Community College	North Charleston	SC
Maintenance Apprenticeship Program	Ridgeville	SC