Pioneering BMW Manufacturing Opens First Press Shop in North America, Unveils Revolutionary Fourth-Generation BMW X3

Marking its 30th anniversary of producing BMWs for the global market, BMW Manufacturing inaugurated its cutting-edge press shop as it gears up to assemble the new BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle at the Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant. The press shop will fabricate sheet metal parts for the new BMW X3, which was introduced to North America during the ceremony. These components encompass hang-on parts such as the vehicle’s four doors, fenders, lift gate, and exterior body sides.

Dr. Milan Nedeljković, a member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production, underscored the BMW Group’s commitment in the United States: “After three decades of fruitful operations, we are further bolstering our commitment. By the end of 2026, the assembly of all-electric Sports Activity Vehicles will commence here in Spartanburg. This is an additional stride towards fortifying our global resilience.”

By 2030, the BMW Group plans to assemble a minimum of six fully electric models in the U.S. The high-voltage batteries for the future BEVs from Spartanburg will be sourced from nearby Woodruff, where the BMW Group is presently constructing an assembly plant for sixth-generation batteries. The inauguration of the press shop also aids in strengthening the U.S. footprint.

“The sophisticated stamping processes on our new press line will guarantee the utmost quality, efficiency, and consistency in body shop parts for our customers,” stated Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. “Having this press shop onsite aligns with the BMW Group’s local-for-local strategy where we manufacture major parts at the location where they are needed.”

The BMW Group invested over $200 million to build the 219,000-square-foot press shop. It took 24 months from site work preparation to stamping the first part on the press line. The investment also encompassed more than 200 new jobs in careers such as tool and die technicians as well as electrical and mechanical maintenance for automated machinery. Dozens of Plant Spartanburg associates received training at BMW Group press shops in Swindon in the UK and Leipzig in Germany.

“Since laying down roots in South Carolina 30 years ago, BMW has transformed our state into an automotive powerhouse,” expressed South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. “Today, we proudly commemorate yet another milestone with the opening of BMW’s first North American press shop, and we eagerly anticipate their continued success in the years ahead.”

During the ceremony, Dr. Robert Engelhorn and Randy Watson, regional vice president of the Southern Region for BMW of North America, presented the fourth-generation BMW X3 to the audience. The BMW X3 is one of the company’s top-selling vehicles in the United States and globally. Plant Spartanburg associates have assembled over 1.7 million BMW X3s since the model was added to the plant’s lineup in 2010. The new BMW X3 will be available for sale in the fall of 2024.

Also making its debut was the Silver Anniversary Edition of the BMW X5. This special adventure-themed Sports Activity Vehicle will be assembled in limited quantities exclusively for the U.S market, with sales commencing this fall. This edition celebrates 25 years since the very first BMW X5 was assembled at Plant Spartanburg in 1999. This model pioneered the segment of Sports Activity Vehicles and laid the groundwork for a remarkable global success with nearly three million BMW X5 vehicles assembled since then.