BMW Group has completed its US$1.7 billion investment in South Carolina, marking a major milestone in the company’s U.S. electrification strategy with the expansion of Plant Spartanburg and the construction of its new Plant Woodruff battery assembly facility.
The investment paves the way for production of the all-electric BMW iX5, which will become the first fully electric BMW assembled in the United States when manufacturing begins in late 2026.
U.S. Production of the BMW iX5 Begins in 2026
BMW confirmed that the iX5 will enter production at Plant Spartanburg following the global debut of the next-generation BMW X5.
The new X5 will be the first BMW model available with five different powertrain options, including internal combustion, battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, diesel and hydrogen fuel cell variants.
Plant Spartanburg will also become the first factory in BMW’s global production network capable of manufacturing all five drivetrain technologies on a single production line.
BMW has committed to producing at least six fully electric vehicle models in the United States by 2030.
New Battery Plant Supports Local EV Production
The adjacent Plant Woodruff will supply high-voltage battery packs for BMW’s future electric vehicles assembled in South Carolina.
The facility uses a Cell-to-Pack manufacturing process that integrates battery cells directly into battery packs, eliminating traditional module assembly stages to simplify production and improve manufacturing efficiency.
The localized battery supply chain is expected to support BMW’s long-term expansion of electric vehicle production in North America.
AI and Robotics Drive Manufacturing
BMW is also introducing advanced manufacturing technologies at Plant Spartanburg as part of its modernization programme.
The facility is deploying humanoid robots developed by Figure AI through BMW’s Physical AI Initiative, while the company’s AIQX artificial intelligence quality platform uses cameras and sensors to perform automated real-time production inspections.
The technologies are intended to improve manufacturing quality, efficiency and operational flexibility across the plant.
BMW Reaffirms U.S. Manufacturing Commitment
BMW said the completed investment reflects its long-term commitment to expanding manufacturing operations in the United States.
“When we announced our investment plans for South Carolina in 2022, we made a clear commitment to the future of the BMW Group in the United States. Today, we are delivering on that commitment. The completion of our investments in Plant Spartanburg and Plant Woodruff demonstrates our confidence in the United States and reinforces South Carolina’s role at the center of BMW Group’s global operations,” said Milan Nedeljković, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.
