BMW celebrates 3 million vehicles produced in Greer

BMW Manufacturing Co. and its workforce Tuesday celebrated the production of the company's 3 millionth vehicle in South Carolina.

The X5 M was driven by Dawn Burgess, who was hired at the plant in 1994, the year workers produced the first vehicle at the plant.

Burgess presented the keys to the milestone vehicle to Manfred Erlacher, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing.

"The growth of this plant has been quite extraordinary," Erlacher said. "Today, as we witness another historic moment, I am delighted to announce that BMW's profound impact in South Carolina continues. I am grateful for our dedicated associates and their commitment to building premium vehicles for the world."

The custom-built vehicle is heading to a customer in Sweden.

"What a great day to celebrate as BMW marks another milestone in South Carolina," said Gov. Nikki Haley. "Now with three million cars produced with care and pride by South Carolina hands, BMW continues to be one of the shining success stories in our state's history. We congratulate them on this achievement."

Speakers at the event included South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt and Jim Newsome, President and CEO of South Carolina Ports Authority.

"For over 20 years, BMW has been a catalyst for the exponential growth of our state's auto sector, which today includes companies in 40 of our 46 counties," said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt, a former BMW employee who was among those instrumental in the plant's opening.

"But beyond our borders, it's a point of pride for our workforce that now three million world-class, quality-made vehicles have been delivered for the global market – from right here in South Carolina."

Last month, the U.S. Department of Commerce confirmed that BMW is the largest U.S. automotive exporter of passenger vehicles by value.

In 2014, nearly 250,000 vehicles were exported from its South Carolina plant, more than 70 percent of the plant's total volume.

In March 2014, BMW Group announced an additional $1 billion investment for the South Carolina plant from 2014 through 2016. In total, since 1992, the company has invested nearly $7 billion through December 2014.

A 2014 report published by the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina said BMW Group activities in South Carolina had a total impact of $16.6 billion on the state economy.

In all, BMW's presence in South Carolina supports a total of 30,000 jobs throughout the state, including 8,000 at the plant in Greer.

BMW Manufacturing produces more than 1,200 vehicles each day and the factory is the exclusive producer of all BMW X3, X4, X5 and X6 vehicles to more than 140 global markets.

By the end of 2016, the plant has committed to adding 800 more jobs, bringing the total employment at the plant to nearly 9,000.

BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC is a subsidiary of BMW AG in Munich, Germany and is the global producer of the BMW X3 and X5 sports activity vehicles and X4 and X6 sports activity coupes.

Cutline: In a special ceremony at its Greer plant this morning, BMW celebrated its three millionth vehicle to roll off the line. The vehicle, a Donington Grey Metallic X5 M with Mugello Red Full Merino leather seats and Carbon Fiber interior trim, was driven by Dawn Burgess, Associate #433, hired in 1994.