S.C. auto exports get boost from Greer's BMW plant

COLUMBIA - South Carolina's automotive exports increased nearly 60 percent from 2002 to 2003, and the BMW plant in Greer was the big reason why.

State manufacturers exported $11.7 billion in goods during 2003, an increase from $9.7 billion the previous year.

The German automaker ran at peak capacity in 2002, adding 400 jobs to produce more X5 sport utility vehicles and Z4 roadsters. The plant exports 55 percent of those vehicles. It made nearly 166,000 vehicles in 2003, an increase of about 25,000 from the previous year.

Exports will remain about the same this year, even though production is expected to fall to 140,000 vehicles, said BMW spokesman Bobby Hitt.

The boom in auto exports led to Germany becoming the state's biggest trading partner. More than $2.7 billion in state-made goods went to Germany during 2003, up 60 percent. Only California ships more goods to Germany.

Canada slipped to a close second in receipt of state exports. It had held the top spot since 1987, when federal officials began tracking state-by-state export data.

South Carolina ranks 18th nationwide in exports, up five spots from 2002.

Rising exports could help stimulate the economy because people have to be hired to help make, track and move cargo, said University of South Carolina economist Doug Woodward.