BMW Manufacturing makes millionth X5

Staff Report


Published June 9, 2010

BMW’s plant in Spartanburg posted another production milestone in its 15-year history on Tuesday as the millionth BMW X5 sports activity vehicle rolled off the production line.

The black sapphire X5 xDrive 35i, with a cinnamon brown Nevada leather interior, is bound for a customer in China. It will soon be shipped to the Port of Charleston to begin its journey overseas.

The production benchmark for the BMW Group’s only U.S. manufacturing facility comes as the manufacturer is months away from completing a $750 million expansion to prepare for production of the next-generation BMW X3.

The X5, originally launched in Spartanburg in 1999 as the first vehicle in the sports activity segment, laid the groundwork for BMW to become the most successful premium vehicle manufacturer in the SAV/SUV segment during its 11-year history, the company said.

“The success of the X5 is directly attributable to the designers of the vehicle, our parts suppliers and the many dedicated and hard-working associates who continue to come together and create such a special vehicle,” said Josef Kerscher, president of BMW Manufacturing, during a ceremony at the end of the production line.

Joining Kerscher at the event were Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor and S.C. State Ports Authority board member Richard Hagins.

BMW Manufacturing began production in 1994 as the first European manufacturer to successfully build and operate a plant in the United States. The factory celebrated its 15th anniversary in South Carolina in September and has produced approximately 1.6 million vehicles. Of that number, plant officials said more than 1 million vehicles have been exported from the Greer assembly plant.

BMW Manufacturing Co. is a subsidiary of BMW AG in Munich, Germany, and is the global producer of the BMW X5 sports activity vehicle and X6 sports activity coupe. In addition to the S.C. manufacturing facility, BMW North American subsidiaries include sales, marketing and financial services operations in the United States, Canada and Latin America; and a design firm and technology office in California.

Visit RickHendrickBMW.com for information on all the lastest BMW Models and to find out about the Ultimate Driving Event taking place in Charleston on July 8th.