BMW cars are made by BMW AG, a German automotive company headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, with its largest single manufacturing plant located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA. Explore the US lineup at BMW USA’s official website.
BMW is known for its Sheer Driving Pleasure philosophy, rear-wheel drive heritage, inline six-cylinder engines, and a lineup that spans from the 1 Series compact to the 7 Series flagship and the performance-focused M division vehicles.
BMW AG is a publicly traded German company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, with the Quandt family holding approximately 46.7% of voting rights, making them the controlling shareholders of one of the most iconic automotive brands in the world.
Knowing where BMW cars are made helps buyers understand which plants build their specific model and appreciate that the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM are all made in the United States.
This article covers BMW’s ownership, manufacturing locations, models made in the USA, and how BMW compares to Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns BMW?
BMW AG is a publicly traded company, but the Quandt family holds a controlling stake of approximately 46.7% of voting shares. Stefan Quandt and Susanne Klatten are the primary family shareholders.
BMW Group is the corporate umbrella that owns three automotive brands: BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Each brand operates independently in terms of design, customer experience, and market positioning.
BMW AG is headquartered in Munich and generated revenues of approximately €142 billion in 2024, making it one of the largest automotive companies in the world by revenue.
When Was BMW Founded?
BMW’s roots trace back to 1916, when the company was founded as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (Bavarian Aircraft Works). It became Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works) in 1917, giving the brand its enduring BMW initials.
BMW initially made aircraft engines and then motorcycle engines before producing its first automobile in 1928 through the acquisition of Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach.
The iconic BMW kidney grille design debuted in 1933 and has remained the brand’s visual signature ever since, evolving through generations of vehicles while maintaining its unmistakable identity.
Where Are BMW Cars Made?
BMW’s primary German manufacturing plants are in Munich, Dingolfing, Regensburg, and Leipzig. Munich assembles the 3 and 4 Series. Dingolfing, BMW’s largest plant in Germany, produces the 5, 7, and 8 Series, the i7 electric flagship, and M models. Regensburg assembles the 1, 2, and 3 Series. Leipzig builds electrified and smaller models.
Outside Germany, BMW assembles vehicles in South Africa (Rosslyn plant, 3 Series for export), India, Malaysia, Brazil, Thailand, and China through joint ventures with Brilliance Automotive.
BMW also owns the MINI plant in Oxford, England, and the Rolls-Royce manufacturing facility in Goodwood, West Sussex, through its BMW Group ownership of those brands.
Which BMWs Are Made in the USA?
The BMW Plant Spartanburg in Greer, South Carolina is the single largest BMW manufacturing facility in the world by annual production volume. It produces all BMW X models sold globally: the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and the ultra-high-performance XM.
The Spartanburg plant employs approximately 11,000 people and has invested over $15 billion in the facility since it opened in 1994. It produces around 400,000 vehicles annually and exports the majority to markets worldwide, making it one of the most valuable automotive manufacturing assets in the United States.
BMW has announced continued investment in Spartanburg to prepare for electric X model production. The next generation electric BMW X3 is expected to be produced there alongside the combustion version.
BMW vs Mercedes-Benz vs Audi: Who Makes Each?
All three are German luxury automakers. BMW AG is publicly traded with the Quandt family holding a controlling stake. Mercedes-Benz Group AG is fully publicly traded with no single family holding a controlling interest. Audi AG is wholly owned by Volkswagen Group.
BMW leads the three in global luxury car sales in most recent years, though Mercedes and BMW compete closely in most markets. Audi generally ranks third globally but leads in several European markets.
All three maintain significant US manufacturing. BMW makes X models in South Carolina. Mercedes makes GLE and GLS in Alabama. Audi makes the Q5 in Mexico for the North American market.
What Is Next for BMW?
BMW is rolling out its Neue Klasse electric vehicle platform, starting with the iX3 in 2025 and expanding to additional models including a new electric 3 Series equivalent.
The Spartanburg plant is being upgraded to produce electric X models on the new platform. BMW has also announced a $1.7 billion investment in its Dingolfing plant for Neue Klasse production in Germany.
BMW Group is targeting a significant share of its global sales from fully electric vehicles by 2030, while maintaining combustion and hybrid options as the charging infrastructure in various markets continues to mature.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where BMW is Made
Is BMW made in Germany?
Yes, most BMWs are made in Germany at plants in Munich, Dingolfing, Regensburg, and Leipzig. However, all BMW X models (X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM) are made at the Spartanburg, South Carolina plant in the United States.
Where is the BMW X5 made?
The BMW X5 is assembled at BMW Plant Spartanburg in Greer, South Carolina. It has been produced there since 1999 and is one of the plant’s highest-volume models. The X5 produced in South Carolina is exported globally to customers in more than 130 countries.
Does BMW own MINI and Rolls-Royce?
Yes. BMW Group owns both MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. MINI is assembled primarily at Plant Oxford in England. Rolls-Royce is hand-built exclusively at the Goodwood facility in West Sussex, England. Both brands operate independently under the BMW Group corporate umbrella.
What does BMW stand for?
BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke, which translates from German as Bavarian Motor Works. The company was renamed from its original 1916 name of Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (Bavarian Aircraft Works) in 1917, and the BMW acronym has been part of its identity ever since.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.