Area Development
Officials at BMW North America's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, which recently produced its 2-millionth vehicle, said the German luxury car manufacturer will create more than 700 jobs in the next three years.

In 2011, the plant produced 276,065 vehicles for over 130 markets around the world. BMW plans to expand its capacity to produce 350,000 vehicles a year by 2014, according to BMW.

BMW officials recently said the company will invest nearly $900 million in plant expansion and add 300 new jobs this year. By the end of the year, the 4 million square foot plant will employ nearly 7,500 workers.

Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW Group Board Member responsible for Production, said the company intentions to expand its X-model family. Production of the new BMW X4 will take place solely at the Spartanburg plant. A significant investment will be made and hundreds of workers hired to prepare the facility for the new model, he added.

"I am delighted to announce over the next three years, we plan to invest nearly $900 million U.S. dollars. With this investment, we will be able to produce 350,000 units," said Arndt. "This is one reaction to the rising global demand for our BMW X Models."

"Two million vehicles have prepared our team well to meet the new opportunities that lie ahead for our plant. We look forward to a new model with great anticipation," said Josef Kerscher, President of BMW Manufacturing.

In the two decades that BMW's plant has been in Spartanburg, BMW officials estimate their total investment in the state is nearly $6 billion.