This week, the Palmetto State once again sparkled under the glow of the the global industry spotlight, as the very first South Carolina-made Volvo S60 rolled off the assembly line at the company's new Berkeley County facility. Media outlets from around the world descended on South Carolina to cover this momentous occasion, providing us with the perfect opportunity to tell our story.
Announced in May 2015, Volvo's $1.1 billion plant solidifies South Carolina's place as a major player on the global automotive stage. Already the nation's leader in the export sales of completed passenger vehicles and tires, South Carolina is now much more than a sleepy Southern state. With a trifecta of premium car-makers -- BMW, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Volvo Cars -- operating within our borders, it's clear that the state's automotive constellation is unmatched.
Moving forward, as Volvo's Berkeley County plant matures and as autoworkers across South Carolina continue to manufacture top-quality products, we'll be able to build on our already-established reputation as an industry powerhouse. And, as a result, we'll achieve prosperity across this state for years to come.