BMW in the United States
BMW's sales and marketing subsidiary in North America.
Last updated October 26, 2026
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Overview
BMW in the United States is the North American subsidiary of German automaker BMW Group, responsible for importing, selling, marketing, and customer service for BMW vehicles in the U.S. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, it also operates the manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, one of BMW's largest plants worldwide.
History
BMW's United States history began with official sales in 1956. The company initially depended on import arrangements, including the exclusive importing role held by Max Hoffman from 1962 until 1975. BMW of North America was established in 1975 to create a dedicated regional structure for sales, distribution, marketing, and related activities. As the United States became one of BMW's largest markets, the company pursued local production. In 1992, BMW announced plans for a 1,150-acre manufacturing facility in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The plant opened in 1994 and became BMW Group's only vehicle-assembly facility in the United States. Early production included selected BMW 3 Series derivatives and the Z3 roadster and coupe. The Z4 was subsequently assembled at the site, as was the X4 from 2014 through 2025 according to the referenced account. The plant's strategic importance grew as BMW shifted its American production emphasis toward crossover and sport utility vehicles. The X3, X5, X6, X7, and XM became the central product families associated with the facility. A $750 million expansion announced in 2010 was intended to increase capacity to 240,000 vehicles per year and enlarge the plant's employment and operating footprint. The two-millionth vehicle was completed in January 2012, followed by the six-millionth in October 2022. BMW Spartanburg developed into both a domestic supplier and an international export center. In 2018, about 70 percent of production was reportedly exported to 125 markets. China was the largest export destination at that time, accounting for approximately one-third of exports, although BMW later ceased exporting the X3 to China from the South Carolina plant. Rail transportation to an inland port and onward shipment through Charleston are important elements of the facility's logistics system, supplemented by air freight for selected movements. The referenced material reports production of 396,117 vehicles in 2025, including 225,000 exported units with a stated export value of $10.1 billion. The plant's present role is closely tied to BMW's global X-family strategy and to demand in the United States, described as the largest market for many of the models built there. Meanwhile, BMW's broader North American organization operates sales, marketing, design, and financial-services businesses across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America. The North American financial-services headquarters in Columbus, Ohio supports leasing and lending for BMW, BMW Motorsport, and Rolls-Royce vehicles.
- 2025
Reported record-scale annual production
[1]The facility reportedly produces 396,117 vehicles, including the X3, X5, X6, X7, and XM.
- 2022
Six-millionth vehicle is produced
[1]The plant reaches six million vehicles with production of a green BMW X6 M.
- 2012
Two-millionth vehicle is produced
[1]A vermilion-red BMW X3 xDrive35i becomes the two-millionth vehicle built at the facility.
- 1994
Spartanburg plant opens
[1]BMW's U.S. assembly facility begins operations in Greer, South Carolina.
- 1992
South Carolina plant is announced
[1]BMW announces plans for a 1,150-acre manufacturing facility in Spartanburg County to reinforce its international production network.
- 1975
BMW of North America is established
[1]BMW creates a dedicated North American subsidiary after the period of exclusive importing associated with Max Hoffman.
- 1956
BMW vehicles begin official sales in the United States
[1]BMW cars begin to be officially sold in the U.S. market, establishing the commercial foundation for the company's later regional organization and manufacturing investment.
Products and positioning
Premium automotive brand in the U.S. market.
Compact luxury crossover SUV
BMW X3
The X3 is one of the principal crossover lines produced at BMW Spartanburg. It has also represented a major export product for the plant, although the referenced material notes that BMW ceased exporting the X3 to China from the facility in 2018. A U.S.-assembled X3 marked the plant's two-millionth vehicle in 2012.
Midsize luxury crossover SUV
BMW X5
The X5 is a core BMW Spartanburg product and one of the most important vehicles associated with the plant's transition toward SUV-focused production. It serves the large U.S. premium-vehicle market and is also built for export markets within BMW's global distribution network.
Luxury coupe-style crossover SUV
BMW X6
The X6 is assembled at BMW's South Carolina facility alongside other large X-family vehicles. The six-millionth vehicle produced at the plant in 2022 was a green BMW X6 M, linking the model to a major production milestone.
Full-size luxury SUV
BMW X7
The X7 is part of the plant's current large-SUV portfolio. Its production reinforces BMW Spartanburg's role as a global center for high-value crossover and sport utility vehicles rather than a general assembly site for the entire BMW passenger-car range.
High-performance luxury plug-in hybrid SUV
BMW XM
The XM is among the current models produced at BMW Spartanburg. As a high-performance BMW M vehicle, it extends the plant's portfolio into an especially performance-oriented and high-value segment while remaining part of the facility's SUV-centered manufacturing strategy.
Sports car · 1995
BMW Z3
The Z3 was assembled at Spartanburg from 1995 to 2002 in roadster, M Roadster, coupe, and M Coupe forms. It was one of the early products that established the South Carolina plant before BMW concentrated more heavily on crossover and SUV production.
Sports car · 2003
BMW Z4
The E85-generation Z4 was assembled at BMW Spartanburg from 2003 to 2008, including roadster, M Roadster, coupe, and M Coupe variants. Later Z4 production moved to Germany.
Compact coupe-style crossover SUV · 2014
BMW X4
The X4 was produced at the South Carolina facility from 2014 through 2025 according to the referenced material. It represented BMW's use of the plant for coupe-style crossover derivatives in addition to its larger SUV lines.
Controversies
2020
BMW agrees to pay $18 million SEC fine over sales reporting
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stated that BMW maintained a reserve of unreported U.S. sales in order to meet monthly targets from 2015 to 2019. BMW AG, BMW of North America and BMW US Capital agreed to pay an $18 million fine and to cease violating securities laws. The companies did not admit or deny the agency's findings.
2019
BMW recalls 32,760 X6 SUVs over rear-seat child-seat anchor bars
BMW of North America is recalling 32,760 BMW X6 SUVs from the 2015 to 2019 model years because the lower rear-seat anchor bars used to secure a child car seat may become damaged. With ISOFIX-type rigid connectors, the damage may increase a child's risk of injury in a crash. BMW stated that it was unaware of any related U.S. accidents or injuries.
Brand decisions
2018
Adjustment of export allocation for ChinaStrategyBackground
BMW Spartanburg exported approximately 70 percent of production to 125 markets, with China identified as its largest export destination.
Action taken
BMW ceased exporting the X3 to China from the South Carolina plant.
Aftermath
The plant remained a major international export hub, but the destination mix for its output changed.
2010
Major expansion of BMW SpartanburgStrategyBackground
Growing U.S. demand and the increasing importance of BMW's SUV portfolio created a need for greater local production capacity.
Action taken
BMW announced a $750 million expansion intended to raise annual capacity to 240,000 vehicles and enlarge the facility's operating scale.
Aftermath
The plant continued evolving into BMW's principal global production center for X-family crossover and sport utility vehicles.
Announced expansion investment. $750 million (2010 announcement)
1992
Establishment of a U.S. manufacturing baseStrategyBackground
BMW sought to strengthen its international production system and establish a stronger physical presence in its important United States market.
Action taken
The company announced plans for a 1,150-acre manufacturing facility in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
Aftermath
The facility opened in 1994 and became BMW Group's only U.S. vehicle assembly plant.
Recent events
Reported
BMW agrees to $18 million SEC settlement over sales figures[4]
BMW agreed to pay an $18 million fine to settle SEC allegations that it inflated monthly U.S. sales figures for five years. The SEC said BMW maintained a reserve of unreported sales to meet monthly targets; BMW did not admit or deny the agency's findings.
Reported
BMW agrees to pay $18 million SEC fine over sales reporting[3]
The SEC said BMW kept a reserve of unreported U.S. sales to meet monthly targets from 2015 to 2019. BMW AG, BMW of North America and BMW US Capital agreed to pay an $18 million fine and stop violating securities laws; they did not admit or deny the agency's findings.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
BMW recalls 32,760 X6 SUVs over rear-seat child-seat anchor bars[5]
BMW of North America is recalling 32,760 BMW X6 SUVs from the 2015 to 2019 model years because the lower rear-seat anchor bars used to secure a child car seat may become damaged. With ISOFIX-type rigid connectors, the damage may increase a child's risk of injury in a crash. BMW stated that it was unaware of any related U.S. accidents or injuries.
Sources5 sources
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