What cars are made in South Carolina?

South Carolina currently builds BMW’s X-series SUVs (X3, X5, X6, X7) and the BMW XM, Volvo’s all-electric EX90, and the Polestar 3, with Mercedes‑Benz producing Sprinter and eSprinter vans in the state; recent phase-outs include the Volvo S60 and BMW X4. Below is a detailed look at who makes what, where, and what’s next for the Palmetto State’s auto industry.

Current vehicles built in South Carolina

BMW (Plant Spartanburg, Greer/Spartanburg County)

BMW’s Spartanburg factory is the company’s largest worldwide and the backbone of its global SUV lineup. It supplies U.S. and export markets and remains the nation’s top automotive exporter by value through the Port of Charleston.

• BMW X3 (including M variants)
• BMW X5 (including M and xDrive50e plug-in hybrid)
• BMW X6 (including M variants)
• BMW X7
• BMW XM (plug-in hybrid high-performance SUV, built exclusively in SC)

Production in Spartanburg focuses on high-demand sport-activity vehicles, with plug-in hybrid assembly integrated into the line. The mix can shift by model year, but these nameplates define BMW’s South Carolina output in 2025.

Volvo Cars and Polestar (Ridgeville, Berkeley County, near Charleston)

Volvo’s U.S. plant has transitioned from sedans to electric SUVs and now also builds a sibling premium EV for Polestar, reflecting the site’s role in the Geely/Volvo group’s North American electrification plan.

• Volvo EX90 (all-electric three-row SUV; U.S. production ramped in 2024)
• Polestar 3 (premium electric SUV; U.S. production in Ridgeville with customer deliveries beginning in 2025)

The Ridgeville complex also assembles high-voltage battery packs for the EX90 on site, supporting localized EV production and reducing logistics complexity.

Mercedes‑Benz Vans (North Charleston/Ladson, Charleston County)

Mercedes‑Benz’s van plant supplies the North American market with commercial vehicles, with growing emphasis on electrified models.

• Mercedes‑Benz Sprinter (full-size van)
• Mercedes‑Benz eSprinter (all-electric full-size van)

The facility moved from semi-knockdown reassembly to full production and now builds both combustion and electric Sprinters tailored to U.S. specifications.

Recently discontinued South Carolina–built models

Several vehicles formerly made in South Carolina have been phased out or shifted as automakers retool for SUVs and EVs.

• Volvo S60 (Ridgeville; ended in 2024 to free capacity for EX90/Polestar 3)
• BMW X4 (Spartanburg; discontinued after the 2024 model year pending a future successor)

These changes reflect the industry’s pivot toward higher-demand utility vehicles and electrification, consolidating production around SUVs and EVs in the state.

What’s coming next

South Carolina’s auto footprint is still growing, with new investments and product plans pointing to expanded EV output later this decade.

• Scout Motors (Blythewood, Richland County): New $2B+ EV plant under construction to build Scout-branded electric SUVs and pickups, with production targeted for 2027.
• BMW (Greer/Spartanburg and new Woodruff battery facility): Multi‑billion‑dollar investment to add high-voltage battery assembly and prepare the plant for future all‑electric models later in the decade.

These projects position South Carolina as a significant EV manufacturing hub, leveraging existing supplier networks and logistics advantages.

Where in South Carolina are these vehicles made?

Automotive production is clustered along the I‑85 and I‑26 corridors, tapping strong logistics to the Port of Charleston and a deep regional supplier base.

• Greer/Spartanburg County: BMW Plant Spartanburg (X3, X5, X6, X7, XM)
• Ridgeville (Berkeley County): Volvo Cars/Polestar plant (EX90, Polestar 3)
• North Charleston/Ladson: Mercedes‑Benz Vans (Sprinter, eSprinter)
• Blythewood (Richland County): Scout Motors (EV SUVs/pickups, planned 2027)

These sites anchor a statewide ecosystem that includes battery, interior, drivetrain, and tire suppliers, streamlining just‑in‑time manufacturing and export.

Why South Carolina?

Automakers cite the Port of Charleston’s export capacity, a pro‑manufacturing regulatory climate, workforce training programs, and a mature supplier network as key reasons to build in South Carolina. The state’s logistics—interstate access, rail links, and proximity to the port—help BMW remain the top U.S. auto exporter by value and support new EV supply chains for Volvo/Polestar and Mercedes‑Benz.

Summary

As of 2025, South Carolina builds BMW’s X3, X5, X6, X7, and XM; Volvo’s EX90; Polestar 3; and Mercedes‑Benz Sprinter and eSprinter vans, with the Volvo S60 and BMW X4 recently retired from local production. With Scout Motors on the way and fresh EV investments by BMW and Volvo/Polestar, the state’s role in U.S. SUV and electric-vehicle manufacturing is set to expand further.

Which Hondas are made in South Carolina?

Honda Powersports products have been built in America for 45 years, and today, all Honda side-by-sides and ATVs are made in America at Honda manufacturing plants in Timmonsville, SC, and Swepsonville, NC, using domestic and globally made parts.

What Cars are made in Spartanburg SC?

The Spartanburg plant assembles the BMW X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes and their variants. For 30 years, our associates have been proud to assemble more than 6.5 million safe, premium-quality BMWs for our customers around the world.

What does Volvo make in SC?

Volvo and its sister company, Polestar, currently produce two electric vehicles at the plant, in Ridgeville, near Charleston. Volvo had previously announced plans to begin producing a third vehicle at the factory next year, a midsize sport utility vehicle available in hybrid and electric versions.

What Cars are manufactured in South Carolina?

Cars manufactured in South Carolina include BMW SUVs and Crossovers (X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, XM), Volvo sedans and SUVs (S60, EX90), and the Polestar 3 SUV. Additionally, the state is home to a Mercedes-Benz Vans plant producing Sprinter vans and the next-generation eSprinter, and a Honda South Carolina Manufacturing plant that produces side-by-side vehicles.
 
BMW 

• The BMW Group’s only assembly facility in the U.S. is located in Greer, South Carolina.
• This plant produces X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes.

Volvo

• Volvo’s first U.S. manufacturing plant, located in Ridgeville, South Carolina, produces vehicles for global export. 
• It has been a key production site for models like the S60 and is now producing the all-electric EX90 SUV. 

Polestar 

• The luxury SUV Polestar 3 is assembled at a facility in Ridgeville, South Carolina.
• This marks the first time a Polestar vehicle has been manufactured in the United States.

Mercedes-Benz Vans

• A plant in North Charleston produces the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. 
• Production of the next-generation eSprinter is also underway in the South Carolina facility. 

Honda 

• The Honda South Carolina Manufacturing (SCM) plant in Timmonsville produces Honda side-by-side vehicles.