US-based international automakers outproduced the Big 3 in 2023

A report by a pair of automotive trade associations says that international automakers in the United States outproduced the American big three for the first time in 2023.

The report from Autos Drive America and the American International Automotive Dealers Association says international automakers made 4.9 million light vehicles in 2023 and Detroit’s Big 3 — GM, Ford and Chrysler — produced 4.6 million.

South Carolina plants operated by BMW, Volvo and Mercedes contributed nearly a half-million vehicles to that tally, producing 486,358. The majority of those were made in the Upstate by BMW Manufacturing, which assembled 410,793 at its Spartanburg County plant.

In addition to the BMW X models made at Plant Spartanburg,  Volvo Cars makes the S60 and S60 PHEV in Ridgeville and Mercedes Vans produces four varieties of the Sprint van in Ladson. The only American-owned automaker in the state is still gearing up production; Oshkosh Defense in Spartanburg County will make vehicles for the U.S. Postal Service.

Related: Oshkosh Defense executive joins Spartanburg university faculty

“International automakers have made the U.S. their home, with $16.2 billion invested in South Carolia operations and $109 billion invested in the U.S.,” Jennifer Safavian president and CEO of Autos Drive America, said in a news release. “Because of their quality vehicles, the support of their communities and the dedication of their talented workforce, they now produce more cars than the Detroit automakers — a testament to their commitment to their U.S. operations. This year’s report makes clear that international automakers are driving economic growth throughout the country and helping to usher in a new chapter of U.S. manufacturing.”

The report said international automakers contributed $1 billion in state and local taxes, and direct and indirect jobs grew by about 4,000 in a year to 80,506 in 2023. Automakers directly employed 16,037 in the state, according to the report. In addition to manufacturing jobs, dealerships that sell vehicles with international nameplates employed 8,866 South Carolinians.

The report puts the makers’ and dealers’ contribution to South Carolina’s gross state product at $10.4 billion.

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