Automotive Manufacturing Industry | South Carolina Department of Commerce

South Carolina is #1 in the export sales of tires and a national leader of completed passenger vehicles.

With an economic impact of more than $27 billion, the automotive industry is now an integral part of the state’s economy. As a result, a wide range of leading companies in automotive manufacturing and production are based in South Carolina.

It all started in 1994, when the first South Carolina-made BMW rolled off the assembly line at the company’s Upstate manufacturing facility. More than two decades later, South Carolina has become a leader in automotive manufacturing. Our technically skilled workforce has made the Palmetto State the US export automotive leader in completed passenger vehicles. Moreover, the state also ranks first in both the production and export of tires, accounting for nearly one-third of the US market share.

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Mercedes-Benz Vans

Merecedes' next generation eSprinter will be produced in North Charleston, SC. As one of three sites, production in SC will be starting in the second half of 2023. The next generation of the eSprinter will help to develop new markets for Mercedes, with a focus on the USA and Canada.

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Automotive Manufacturing Facts

in the export sales of tires

75,000+

people in the automotive industry workforce

19,502

jobs announced in automotive from 2017–2023

$13.9 billion

in capital investment from 2017–2023

144,000

tires produced each day in South Carolina

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Automotive Manufacturer Snapshots

“This is a very important step for Plant Spartanburg as we continue our legacy of producing high-quality vehicles, and build on the success of the last 30 years,” said BMW Manufacturing President and CEO Dr. Robert Engelhorn. “With this latest investment, we futureproof our operations and prepare the plant for electrification and new technologies, ensuring both the long-term success of our company and our position as an attractive and viable employer in the state of South Carolina.”

“[Magna has] a strong leadership team and a highly skilled workforce which is dedicated to world-class manufacturing and has a clear mission: to be the premier seat supplier to our customers here in South Carolina and around the world.”

President of Magna Seating, Mike Bisson

"The USA is already the second largest market for our Sprinter today. With the new, state-of-the-art production site in South Carolina, we will be able to supply our customers in North America even faster and with more flexibility in the future. This makes better use of the dynamic market potential, placing our new plant in North Charleston as a central component of our growth strategy ‘Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global’,” said Mercedes-Benz Vans Head Volker Mornhinweg.

"Today's [expansion] announcement not only underscores Volvo's commitment to the United States, but also our commitment to South Carolina. This now brings our total investment to more than $1 billion dollars and adds nearly 2,000 jobs."

- Volvo Cars of North America President and CEO Lex Kerssemakers