The BMW Group was the largest automotive exporter by value in the U.S. in 2025, the company said, citing U.S. Department of Commerce data that it said indicate its sole U.S. manufacturing plant, in Spartanburg, S.C., had a total export value of $9 billion last year. 

“Plant Spartanburg is proud to be the largest automotive exporter by value in the United States, a distinction that underscores our commitment to both the state of South Carolina and the nation’s economic strength,” said Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg. 

“Our exports play a crucial role in supporting a favourable balance of trade, which is essential for sustained economic growth.”

In 2025 over 400,000 BMW X crossover models were assembled at the plant, which marks the third-highest production volume in its 32-year history, the company said. The factory is BMW's largest in any country, including its home base of Germany.

Vehicles assembled at Plant Spartanburg were exported mainly through the Port of Charleston, in addition to East Coast ports. However, more than 14,000 BMWs were exported via rail. 

“Free trade and open markets enable growth and prosperity. Our plants – and, above all, the strong supplier networks in each region – benefit from this,” said Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production.

BMW released the S.C. plant metrics as Germany and the U.S. stand on shaky ground when it comes to trade and tariffs. In 2025 the U.S. raised import tariffs, which has affected the automotive industry in Germany and in other global export markets. 

However, automotive companies with established production in the U.S. could see advantages “through increased local value creation and benefit from planned U.S. corporate tax cuts,” according to KPMG, a German auditing and consulting firm.