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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.

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
International Automakers’ Vehicles Made in America

International automakers produced 4.4 million vehicles in America in 2022. 65 different models were exported more than 130 markets around the world.

See Vehicles