BMW Group has completed a $1.7 billion investment in its South Carolina operations, confirming that the new BMW iX5 will be the first fully electric BMW assembled in the United States starting in late 2026. The company marked the milestone at a “Home of X” event at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, where it also held the world premiere of the fifth-generation BMW X5 — the first BMW offered with five distinct drivetrain options. The completed expansion covers both Plant Spartanburg and the newly built Plant Woodruff, which together establish the foundation for assembling fully electric BMW vehicles in South Carolina. bmwgroupbmwgroup
Highlights
- The all-electric iX5 60 xDrive delivers up to 525 miles (845 km) of range using sixth-generation eDrive technology, 800V architecture, and bidirectional charging.
- The iX5 Hydrogen offers an estimated 466 miles (750 km) of range via BMW’s new Hydrogen Flat Storage system.
- Production of the fifth-generation X5 begins at Plant Spartanburg in August 2026; the iX5 becomes the first fully electric BMW built in the U.S. before year’s end.
- BMW Group will assemble at least six fully electric models in the U.S. by 2030, supported by a new high-voltage battery plant at Woodruff.
Five Drivetrains, One Assembly Line
The new X5 is the first BMW production model offered with five different drive system types: gasoline and diesel combustion engines with 48V mild hybrid technology, a plug-in hybrid, the all-electric iX5, and — at a later stage — the hydrogen fuel cell-powered iX5 Hydrogen. Plant Spartanburg becomes the first plant in BMW’s global production network capable of building all five drivetrains on a single assembly line, the company said. bmwgroup
“Our strategic course remains unchanged. We will continue to pursue the same technology-open strategy that has made BMW successful and will continue to make us successful in the future,” said Milan Nedeljković, Chairman of the Board of Management, BMW AG.
iX5 Becomes First US-Built Electric BMW
The all-electric iX5 uses the sixth-generation BMW eDrive system, pairing a new cylindrical-cell high-voltage battery with 800V architecture, fast charging, and bidirectional charging capability — extending its range to 525 miles (845 km). The iX5 Hydrogen, BMW’s first hydrogen-powered production vehicle, pairs a third-generation fuel cell system with the company’s Hydrogen Flat Storage technology for an estimated 466 miles (750 km) of range.
“With its imposing presence and flawless symbiosis of comfort and driving pleasure, the BMW X5 became a global bestseller,” said Dr. Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. “And now the latest generation also benefits from the technologies in the Neue Klasse and the widest possible range of drive systems.”
Assembly of the iX5 is scheduled to begin at Plant Spartanburg before the end of 2026, fulfilling a commitment BMW made as part of its 2022 U.S. investment announcement. By 2030, the company says it will assemble at least six fully electric models in the United States, with high-voltage batteries supplied locally from Plant Woodruff.
$1.7 Billion Investment Completes Spartanburg Expansion
The completed investment caps the expansion of Plant Spartanburg and construction of Plant Woodruff. BMW Group’s U.S. operations now support more than 120,000 jobs and contribute more than $43.3 billion annually to the U.S. economy, the company said. Plant Spartanburg, the global center of competence for BMW X models since 1994, has assembled more than 7.3 million vehicles and exported nearly 3 million of them, valued at over $113 billion. In 2025, the plant assembled 412,799 X models.
Both plants apply BMW’s iFACTORY production principles, including AI-supported vision-based quality controls and an in-house platform called AIQX that automates quality processes along the line. Plant Spartanburg is also piloting humanoid robots from Figure AI to assist with physically demanding assembly tasks, while Plant Woodruff is building its battery packs using a “Cell-to-Pack” process that assembles cells directly into the housing.
Design Pulls from the Neue Klasse
The new X5 carries over design and technology elements from BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, including the BMW Panoramic iDrive display, a 3D head-up display, and a windshield-width Panoramic Vision projection surface. The cabin offers slate and glass decorative surfaces, with BMW saying it is the first automaker to offer slate as an interior option. Standard equipment includes adaptive suspension with near 50:50 weight distribution; Adaptive Chassis Control Professional, with roll stabilization, is optional on electric and plug-in hybrid models.
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