Posted on 04/15/2025 12:23:56 PM PDT by Red Badger
After attracting some dubious criticism regarding its US-based production, BMW fired back with some cold, rational stats that solidified its reputation as an exporter and manufacturer. But apparently, the automaker wasn’t content to stop there. Perhaps fueled by indignation—but more likely demand and forecasting—BMW is mulling over the addition of shifts at its Spartanburg plant. Apparently, the boosted productivity could result in up to 80,000 additional units entering production.
Anticipating the Year Ahead
Reportedly, BMW’s US inventory is sitting around a month’s days supply. A primary benefit of the production increase is price protection. A ramp up ensures models that are made in the US—mostly X models, like the X3 and X5—retain current pricing until at least the end of May. Associated parts will feel the benefit, too. It’s just one creative way the automaker can work around the Trump administration tariffs that may otherwise severely impact customer pricing both US and abroad.
It’s also important to note that a portion of these 80,000 units would also be leaving the country. After all, Spartanburg, SC, is responsible for global SUV production. In fact, BMW is the largest vehicle exporter in the country by value, exporting over $10 billion in vehicles just last year. The fact that Plant Spartanburg is located in a free-trade zone helps alleviate stress from both US tariffs and tariffs in other countries.
Otherwise, costs would be mounting even quicker as a trade war continues to rage. A free-trade zone, or FTZ, acts as a holding area for imported goods to be re-exported. Here, goods are allowed to be repackaged and exported without the heavy tariffs associated with normal imports and exports. In BMW’s case, that primarily impacts components from Austria, like engines. Spartanburg, South Carolina, is the second largest FTZ in the nation as of 2024.
BMW looks forward to a year that could be full of constant pressure. So, it makes sense for the automaker to explore every possible avenue. A global, trade-heavy economy is perhaps more critical to BMW than any other automaker. After all, it has exported over $100 billion of product just in the last decade. Despite some misguided comments surrounding their Spartanburg manufacturing, it’s clear that BMW brings a lot of value to the US at large and South Carolina specifically, and has no intention of shaking things up if it can avoid it.
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Steven Paul Steven is a Senior Writer for BMWBLOG. A lifelong enthusiast, he's driven F90 M5s around Circuit of the Americas, off-roaded X5s, drag raced M4s and M2s, and spent countless paychecks maintaining BMWs...
Great cars. For about 7 or 8 years. Then get rid of it.
my 7 series is 35 years old, and my vert is 25
You can say that about most cars, they are engineered that way.
We have the smallest Mercedes SUV from ten years ago (the GLK). Our maintenance costs (all routine preventative maintenance) now exceed our purchase price. Yikes!
True.................NEVER BUY A USED BMW..................I learned my lesson.................
I bought a 2009 BMW 128i cabrio in 2012. Only thing I’ve had to do with it other than routine maintenance was a new convertible top about 3 years ago. Terrific car! When i trade the wife’s Infiniti I’m getting a new 5-series. Love them BMWs.
OH, so YOU are the ONE who got the GOOD ONE!....................
2025 BMW 530i xDrive
$65,905MSRP, that’s alot of $$$
I kept my Z4 for 17 years. I will admit the maintenance costs were high in the last 10 years. I currently have a 440I which is 7 years old but it only has 45K miles on it and hasn’t given me any trouble at all in the 3 years I’ve owned it.
Meh... I’m old. It’ll be my last car. 😎
I just replaced the steering rack on my 2011 328xi, ouch.
Yup. Gonna keep it ‘till the wheels fall off. It only has 160k miles on it....
enjoy, you deserve it!
Any awesome car that you admire today, can be seen in the High School parking lot in 10 years for $300...
Spartanburg, SC, is responsible for global SUV production. In fact, BMW.
Wondered why BMW was jokingly called Bubba Makes Wheel there.
bttt
Ping
I heard a stat, not sure whether true, that 90% of new vehicle “sales” are leased. This has driven manufacturers to build cars to last 3-5 years. Overly complex, short time of parts availability, unfixable, etc.
This is a relief. I work in BMW sales- March was a banner month, but it’s been a little quieter so far for April.
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