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German automaker BMW has a strong manufacturing presence in the U.S. with its sprawling Spartanburg, South Carolina assembly factory. The facility is BMW's largest global plant by volume and builds the X-Series lineup of SUVs right here in the U.S. for export around the world.
But as BMW focuses on building more highly advanced vehicles, including electric and self-driving vehicles, the automaker needs a highly skilled workforce, so the automaker is building a new training center.
On Monday, BMW announced plans for a new 67,000 square foot training facility that will train future employees for high tech roles at BMW's Spartanburg factory. Officials of BMW Manufacturing, along with South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt, broke ground today on a new $20 million training center on the BMW campus.
The investment is a continuation of BMW's 2017 commitment to invest $200 million over five years into workforce training.
When the new facility is completed in the summer of 2022, it will feature multiple classrooms for both professional development and technical training, an outdoor amphitheater, and a unique concept of outdoor meeting and workspace that includes wireless capabilities.
BMW's Spartanburg assembly plant provides a massive boost to the local economy and the German automaker is a major employer in the Spartanburg region. 1 out of every 10 jobs in the region is related to autos and parts.
In 2019, BMW was named as the largest exporter by value of new vehicles built in the U.S., its fifth consecutive year. In 2020, the Spartanburg plant has a record year and exported 218,820 vehicles with a value of more than $8.9 billion. BMW's U.S. exports are more than that of U.S. automakers General Motors and Ford Motor Co.
The factory has a production capacity of up to 450,000 vehicles and employs more than 11,000 people.
BMW currently builds all of its X-Series SUV models in Spartanburg. These models include the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 SUVs along with two plug-in hybrid electric X models. The plant also built the BMW Z4 Roadster from 2002 to 2008.
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