The German automaker BMW announced Friday that it going to invest $1 billion in their plant in South Carolina. This is the only BMW plant in North America and the investment will bring a predicted 800 jobs to the state.
Not only is the company increasing production by 50 percent, but they are also introducing a new offroad SUV, the X7. The X7 will be produced exclusively at the South Carolina location.
According to the Herald Online Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the board of management for BMW Group said, “Plant Spartanburg was built to enhance and expand the BMW line-up, underscoring the BMW Group commitment to the United States.”
The plant began producing luxury automobiles 20 years ago and continues to supply the world market. According to reuters the reason behind the expansion is that BMW is looking to lessen ties with the fragile European market. European sales accounted for 44 percent of the total sales in 2013, but the company wants to focus on American production.