BMW Group enhances US operations with a state-of-the-art press shop at Plant Spartanburg, marking 30 years of production and future plans for electric vehicle manufacturing.
Key Highlights:
- New press shop for BMW X3’s outer skin components
- Future production of fully-electric Sports Activity Vehicles by 2026
- Investment of over $200 million and creation of 200 new jobs
- Introduction of advanced production methods and efficiency
- Recycling and sustainability efforts integrated into operations
BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina has inaugurated its new press shop, a significant milestone coinciding with its 30th anniversary. The facility is set to produce the outer skin components for the upcoming BMW X3, including body sides, doors, side panels, and tailgate.
Milan Nedeljković, a Board Member of BMW AG responsible for Production, emphasized the plant’s importance and future growth: “After 30 years of successful production, we are further expanding our commitment. In late 2026, production of fully-electric Sports Activity Vehicles will get underway here in Spartanburg – a further step towards strengthening our global resilience.”
By 2030, BMW aims to introduce at least six fully-electric models from the Spartanburg plant. High-voltage batteries for these models will be sourced from a new assembly plant in Woodruff, South Carolina. Robert Engelhorn, President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing, added, “The advanced production methods used in our press shop will ensure the highest quality and efficiency of body components for our customers.”
The new press shop represents a $200 million investment, encompassing a 20,000-square-meter facility that took just under two years to complete. This investment has generated over 200 new jobs, including positions for tool and die technicians and maintenance staff for automated machinery. Training for these roles was conducted at BMW Group press shops in Swindon, UK, and Leipzig, Germany.
During the inauguration ceremony, the fourth-generation BMW X3 was showcased. The BMW X3 has been a top-selling model globally, with over 1.7 million units produced at Plant Spartanburg since 2010. The new model is expected to hit the market in autumn 2024.
High-Tech Press Shop Operations
The press shop initiates the automotive production process, handling large steel and aluminum coils. These materials are cut into blanks at up to 70 strokes per minute before being formed into body components through a five-phase press line equipped with advanced servo technology. This setup allows for the production of up to 10,000 parts daily, depending on size.
Quality control is stringent, utilizing special lighting to inspect stamped parts. Scrap metal generated during production is recycled through a closed-loop system, with up to 60 tons of scrap processed daily.
BMW’s Commitment to Sustainability and Growth
Plant Spartanburg has a robust recycling program, generating about 20% of its power from recycled methane gas and using hydrogen fuel cell technology for logistics vehicles. The plant, employing over 11,000 people, produces various BMW X models and stands as one of BMW Group’s largest facilities, manufacturing over 1,500 vehicles daily.
In 2022, BMW announced a $1.7 billion investment in its US operations. This includes $1 billion to prepare Plant Spartanburg for fully-electric vehicle production and $700 million for a new battery assembly plant in Woodruff. By 2026, this facility will produce sixth-generation batteries for BMW’s electric vehicles.
Plant Spartanburg’s new press shop and future electric vehicle production underscore BMW Group’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and growth in the US automotive market.
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