The 2 millionth BMW produced in the Upstate. (Jan. 12, 2012/FOX Carolina)
BMW announces its plans to add new jobs and produce a new X4 model in Spartanburg. (Jan. 12, 2012/FOX Carolina)COLUMBIA, SC (AP) -
German automaker BMW is expanding its South Carolina plant and adding 300 new jobs.
Officials said Thursday that BMW plans to invest an additional $900 million in the plant in Greer and ramp up production with a new X4 model.
"I am delighted to announce today, over the next three years, we plan to invest nearly $900 million," said Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW Group Board Member responsible for Production. "With this investment, we will be able to produce 350,000 units here in the mid-term. This is one reaction to the rising global demand for our BMW X Models."
Officials said by 2014, they will have added a total of 1,000 new employees. Officials also celebrated that the plant has produced 2 million vehicles since it opened in 1994.
Gov. Nikki Haley said the announcement shows BMW is joining South Carolina in producing a blueprint for economic success.
BMW said it will be able to produce up to 300,000 cars a year with 7,500 employees at the plant.
In August, BMW announced it had shifted to a six-day work week to increase production.
Copyright 2012 FOX Carolina (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
