BMW Group edges closer to establishing US-based electric vehicle production, while simultaneously positioning South Carolina as a pioneering hub for battery and automotive manufacturing in the country. The Woodruff plant, launched last autumn, has now entered full production mode, poised to harmoniously integrate with the existing manufacturing facilities of BMW and AESC within South Carolina’s borders.
The BMW Group, a well-established German automaker, is renowned for harmoniously blending the thrill of sports cars with the opulence of luxury vehicles; however, it wasn’t until recently that an innovative range of all-electric models came to fruition. As BMW’s commitment to a fully electric future takes shape, the proliferation of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) continues, with many models now being manufactured overseas and imported to the US market.
Due to these changes, a single electrified BMW model meets the criteria for a federal tax credit in the United States, as outlined by the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law last summer – specifically, the 2024 X5 plug-in hybrid qualifies. BMW Group Chairman Oliver Zipse announced a fresh $1.7 billion investment in US operations last October to ensure compliance with shipping regulations for vehicles once again. The plans entail a significant investment of $1 billion, earmarked for transforming the existing factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina, into a facility capable of producing battery-electric vehicles (BEVs).
Furthermore, the BMW Group allocated an additional $700 million to construct a state-of-the-art high-voltage EV battery manufacturing facility in Woodruff, South Carolina, which will supply its sixth-generation batteries to forthcoming electric vehicles at its Spartanburg plant, approximately 20 miles away.
During the opening of its newly established electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility in South Carolina, USA, BMW revealed that it had encountered a significant issue – damage to the floor. This development marks a crucial milestone for the automaker’s expansion plans in the region.
South Carolina’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are set to benefit from a strategic partnership between BMW Group and Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC), which will supply high-performance battery packs for the state’s growing EV industry.
The BMW Group has initiated the development of a novel high-voltage battery plant, setting the stage for the creation of more than 300 new positions in South Carolina on a 315-acre site with growth potential. When fully operational, the power plant will have an output of over one million square feet. Feet in measurement, imbued with its inherent expertise, comprising hearth divisions, and a powerhouse.
The sustainable campus of Woodruff will run entirely on green power, leveraging 100% renewable electricity and designed to be solar-ready.
Three hundred new EV specialists will undergo training nearby at BMW’s Technical Training Centre, which inaugurated operations in October last year at the Spartanburg facility. The automaker declares that its Technical Training Centre (TTC) will rapidly evolve into a hub for comprehensive electric vehicle (EV) training, serving as a centralized resource for all employees across both North and South America. BMW’s Board Member Responsible for Human Resources and Real Estate, Ilka Horstmeier, said:
The BMW Group is going electric. Our state-of-the-art battery manufacturing plant in Woodruff is poised to assume a critical role in shaping America’s electric future from the very heart of our country. Through the cultivation of the Woodruff plant, we are able to expand our presence and make a lasting impact within the state of South Carolina. At the same time, we’re empowering our associates to join us on this transformative journey. Our newly established Technical Coaching Hub at the Spartanburg plant will empower our 11,000 associates to excel in their roles for the long haul. As part of our commitment to being a responsible employer, we are proactively investing in future-proof job opportunities for our employees.
BMW’s Woodruff facility seamlessly integrates with the company’s “native for native” business strategy in the US, utilizing newly developed spherical lithium-ion battery cells manufactured by its partner, AESC. The battery manufacturer celebrated the grand opening of its new facility in Florence, South Carolina, on June 7.
As battery production reaches capacity at each facility, AESC will dispatch cells manufactured in Florence to Woodruff, South Carolina, where they will be integrated into BMW’s sixth-generation modules for use in the electrified X series models assembled at the company’s Spartanburg plant.
Currently, BMW produces three electric vehicles at its Spartanburg facility, all of which are plug-in hybrids: the X3 xDrive30e, X5 xDrive50e, and i4 eDrive35. Notwithstanding, BMW has announced plans to manufacture at least six fully electric models at its Spartanburg, South Carolina plant by 2030. BMW’s President and Chief Executive Officer of Production, Dr. Robert Engelhorn, additionally spoke:
Immediately, a milestone has been achieved, marking the start of a new era at Plant Spartanburg as we prepare to manufacture fully electric BMW models globally. As we lay the groundwork for a lasting future, our journey to excellence starts at home in Woodruff, where we’re committed to building premium vehicles with unwavering dedication to quality and American craftsmanship. Can Plant Woodruff truly claim to be the epitome of sustainability, flexibility, and digitalization in its current form?
