BMW to add 300 jobs in SC with $900M investment

[January 13, 2012]  COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- German automaker BMW is expanding its South Carolina plant and adding 300 new jobs.

Officials said Thursday that BMW plans to invest an additional $900 million in the plant in Greer and ramp up production with a new X4 model.

Officials also marked a milestone for the plant, saying it has produced 2 million vehicles since opening in 1994.

Gov. Nikki Haley says the announcement shows BMW is joining South Carolina in producing a blueprint for economic success.

BMW says it will be able to produce up to 300,000 cars a year with 7,500 employees at the plant.

In August, BMW announced it had shifted to a six-day work week to increase production.

[Associated Press; By SUSANNE M. SCHAFER]

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