From assembly
to highway.
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.
Nurturing automotive, from launch to legacy
Driving Economic Growth
The automotive industry has grown over several decades, establishing itself as one of South Carolina’s major economic drivers. In 2023 alone, it accounted for $4.3 billion in announced capital investment — the state’s leading industry cluster, including the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) and EV battery sub-sectors.
Strengthening Global Trade
Canada, one of the Palmetto State’s long-time trade partners, was the second-largest export market for S.C.-made goods in 2023. The nation is also a growing source of foreign direct investment for South Carolina, in industries like pharmaceuticals and automotive.
Delivering Around the World
Annual trade and export figures released by the U.S. Department of Commerce put South Carolina’s 2023 export sales at $37.3 billion, defying a national trend where U.S. exports dropped 2.2% over the same timeframe. The automotive industry remained the state’s leading export — South Carolina was once again the nation’s top exporter of tires, and a national leader in the export of completed passenger vehicles.
Feature Story
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.
EVolve Your Company’s Future Here
From electric vehicle battery manufacturing to the creation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging stations, we support automotive and component manufacturing. Find out what all SC has to offer your EV manufacturing company.
Automotive Manufacturing Facts
#1
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
Automotive Manufacturer Snapshots
Many automotive companies call SC home
