All\u00a0New BMW X5 will be the first vehicle to be offered with five
\n drivetrain options.\u00a0
\n BMW iX5 confirmed as first fully electric BMW to be assembled in
\n the\u00a0U.S.\u00a0starting later this year.\u00a0
\n Newly appointed BMW Group Chairman of the Board of Management
\n Milan Nedeljkovic: \u201cCompletion of our investments in Spartanburg and
\n Woodruff demonstrates our confidence in the United States and
\n reinforces South Carolina’s role at the center of BMW Group’s global operations.\u201d\u00a0
\n By 2030, BMW Group will assemble at least six fully electric
\n models in the United States.<\/p>\n
\n Spartanburg, S.C. \u2013 June 30, 2026\u2026\u00a0BMW\u00a0Group
\n announced\u00a0today\u00a0the completion of a\u00a0$1.7 billion\u00a0investment in its
\n South Carolina operations. The company celebrated the milestone at the
\n “Home of X” event at BMW Group Plant\u00a0Spartanburg,
\n reaffirming its longstanding commitment in the United States through
\n continued investment and innovation leadership. With this milestone,
\n BMW Group has completed the expansion of Plant Spartanburg and the
\n construction of Plant Woodruff,\u00a0establishing\u00a0the foundation for the
\n assembly of fully electric BMW vehicles in South Carolina. The United
\n States remains one of BMW Group’s most important markets and business
\n ecosystems worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The event also marked the world premiere of the all new,
\n fifth-generation BMW X5. BMW confirmed that the BMW iX5 will be the
\n first fully electric BMW assembled in the United States, starting in
\n late 2026.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
“When we announced our investment plans for South Carolina in
\n 2022, we made a clear commitment to the future of the BMW Group in the
\n United States,” said Milan Nedeljkovi\u0107, Chairman of the Board<\/p>\n
of Management, BMW AG. “Today, we are delivering on that
\n commitment. The completion of our investments in Plant Spartanburg and
\n Plant Woodruff demonstrates our confidence in the United States and
\n reinforces South Carolina’s role at the center of BMW Group’s global operations.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Together, Plant Spartanburg and Plant Woodruff form a highly
\n integrated network supporting the future of BMW X model assembly and
\n electrification in the United States.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Home of X.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Home of X recognizes the significant role the United States plays in
\n BMW Group’s global operations. South Carolina is the home of BMW
\n Group’s largest plant worldwide. For more than\u00a050 years, BMW
\n has\u00a0maintained\u00a0a strong commitment in the United States, growing its
\n presence to nearly 30 locations across 12 states. Today, BMW Group’s
\n business activities in the U.S. support more than 120,000 jobs
\n nationwide and contribute more than\u00a0$43.3 billion\u00a0annually to the U.S. economy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Established more than three decades ago, BMW Group Plant Spartanburg
\n is the global center of competence for BMW X models. Since 1994, more
\n than 7.3 million BMW vehicles have been assembled in South Carolina
\n for customers in the United States and around the world. In 2025,
\n 412,799 BMW X models were assembled at Plant Spartanburg \u2013 this marked
\n the seventh time the plant has exceeded 400,000 units.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Approximately half of the plant’s current production is exported to
\n nearly 120 countries, helping to make BMW the leading automotive
\n exporter in the United States by value. To date, nearly 3 million BMWs
\n have been exported from the United States, valued at over $113 billion.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The completion of BMW Group’s $1.7 billion investment in South
\n Carolina represents the latest chapter in the company’s longstanding
\n commitment in the United States. Together, Plant Spartanburg and Plant
\n Woodruff will enable the assembly of the next generation of BMW X
\n vehicles, including fully electric models, while strengthening BMW
\n Group’s ability to serve customers around the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With two plants, over 400 suppliers, and many longstanding strategic
\n partners across the country, the United States remains central to BMW
\n Group’s global strategy. This foundation supports future growth,
\n innovation, electrification, and customer choice for decades to come.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n All New BMW X5 Available in Five Drivetrains.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
A centerpiece of the Home of X celebration was the world premiere of
\n the\u00a0all\u00a0new\u00a0BMW X5. The X5 established the premium Sports Utility
\n Vehicle segment and became one of the most successful products in BMW
\n history. Since 1999, over 3 million BMW X5 models have been sold
\n around the world, a third of which were sold in the U.S.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Assembled at Plant Spartanburg for over 25 years, the all new BMW X5
\n becomes the first vehicle offered with five drivetrain technologies.
\n The options span internal combustion, battery electric, plug-in hybrid
\n electric, diesel and, soon, fuel cell electric powered by hydrogen.
\n This breadth reflects BMW Group’s technology-open approach and
\n commitment to customer choice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Our strategic course remains unchanged. We will continue to
\n pursue the same technology-open strategy that has made BMW successful
\n and will continue to make us successful in the future,” continued Nedeljkovi\u0107.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Plant Spartanburg will be the first plant in the BMW Group\u2019s global
\n production network capable of assembling a single vehicle with five
\n different drivetrain technologies on one assembly line, demonstrating
\n the technology-open strategy at the highest level.\u00a0<\/p>\n
By offering a broad range of drivetrain technologies, BMW enables
\n customers to select the vehicle that best suits their needs, driving
\n habits, and preferences. This flexibility reflects BMW Group’s
\n conviction that multiple technologies will play an important role in
\n the transition to sustainable mobility.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“The all new BMW X5 demonstrates our belief that innovation and
\n customer choice go hand in hand,” said Sebastian Mackensen,
\n President & CEO, BMW of North America. “Our customers both in
\n the U.S. and around the world will love the new BMW X5\u2014and our
\n technology-open approach puts them in the driver\u2019s seat to enjoy the
\n performance and premium experience that define BMW, regardless of
\n which drivetrain they choose.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
BMW Group also confirmed that the BMW iX5 will be the first fully
\n electric BMW vehicle assembled in the United States. Assembly is
\n scheduled to begin at Plant Spartanburg before the end of 2026<\/p>\n
The announcement represents another important milestone in BMW
\n Group’s electrification strategy. It fulfills a key commitment made as
\n part of the company’s 2022 investment announcement. By 2030, BMW Group
\n will assemble at least six fully electric BMW models in the United
\n States, supported by locally assembled high-voltage batteries from
\n Plant Woodruff.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“The future of BMW X models will continue to be shaped in South
\n Carolina,” said Dr. Robert Engelhorn, President & CEO, BMW
\n Manufacturing Co. “From highly efficient combustion engines and
\n plug-in hybrid systems to battery-electric and future hydrogen-powered
\n vehicles, Plant Spartanburg will be able to assemble a broad range of
\n drivetrain technologies for customers in the U.S. and around the
\n world. This flexibility of Plant Spartanburg and our global production
\n network strengthen our resilience, supports customer choice, and
\n enables us to meet customer demand at any level.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Digitalization and AI in Production: Key Principles of BMW
\n iFACTORY are implemented at Plants Spartanburg and Woodruff.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The BMW\u00a0iFACTORY\u00a0concept\u00a0defines\u00a0the BMW Group\u2019s strategic vision for
\n the\u00a0future of its global production network,\u00a0driven\u00a0by\u00a0efficiency,
\n sustainability, and digitalization.\u00a0Both at\u00a0Plant Spartanburg\u00a0and
\n Plant Woodruff,\u00a0the guiding principles of the BMW\u00a0iFACTORY\u00a0are\u00a0already\u00a0a\u00a0reality.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Smart automation, end-to-end data integration, and virtual planning
\n form a highly connected production system \u2014 with a highly skilled
\n workforce at its core. Using digital twins, processes in both plants
\n are optimized long before the first component reaches the assembly
\n line. Using 3D virtual simulations enables seamless implementation,
\n reduces complexity, and enhances workflows and ergonomics for associates.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Artificial intelligence is deeply anchored in the assembly of both
\n plants. AI-supported applications, including self-correcting robotics
\n and vision-based quality controls, help ensure consistently high
\n standards in a dynamic manufacturing environment. At both plants, AIQX
\n (Artificial Intelligence Quality Next), an in-house IT platform at the
\n BMW Group, is being applied. AIQX uses sensors and camera systems
\n along the production line to automate quality processes. AI evaluates
\n the data and provides real-time feedback to employees on the line.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the same time, Plant Spartanburg is advancing the next stage of
\n innovation through physical AI. By utilizing humanoid robots from
\n Figure AI, Plant Spartanburg has become a pioneer of BMW\u2019s Physical<\/p>\n
AI Initiative. These applications support associates in physically
\n demanding and repetitive tasks, enabling greater focus on precision,
\n craftsmanship, and quality that define every BMW vehicle.<\/p>\n
At Plant Woodruff, the BMW Group is deploying intelligent,
\n next-generation manufacturing powered by cutting-edge
\n technologies\u2014first proven in virtual environments.\u00a0\u00a0Following the BMW
\n iFACTORY principles, the new plant also reduces complexity and sets
\n new standards in high voltage battery assembly. Following the
\n \u201cCell-to-Pack\u201d principle, the cells are assembled directly into the
\n housing without the former processes of cell coating and cell module production.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All in all, innovative technologies at both plants support and
\n protect people. In doing so, digitalization enhances production
\n performance, resilience, and the flexibility and adaptability needed
\n to meet the mobility demands of today and tomorrow.\u00a0
#\u00a0 #\u00a0 #<\/p>\n
\n BMW Group in the United States.\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
BMW Group began operations in the U.S. over 50 years ago. In addition
\n to the sales, marketing, and distribution of BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce,
\n and BMW Motorrad vehicles, BMW Group\u2019s business in the U.S. spans 30
\n locations in 12 states including BMW Group Financial Services, BMW
\n Manufacturing,\u00a0Designworks, BMW Technology Office USA, and
\n BMW\u00a0i\u00a0Ventures.\u00a0The company\u2019s U.S. plant in South Carolina is the
\n largest single BMW production facility in the world and the global
\n center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group
\n sales organization is represented by a nationwide network of 359 BMW
\n retailers, 139 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car
\n dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. Taken together, BMW
\n Group\u2019s business activities in the U.S. provide and support over
\n 120,000 jobs and contribute more than\u00a0$43.3 billion\u00a0to the U.S.
\n economy annually.\u00a0<\/p>\n