BMW hits five-millionth car milestone

On June 4, BMW’s five-millionth car rolled out of the production line at its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA. The vehicle, an X5 M Competition Sport Activity Vehicle (because the German carmaker simply refuses to call it an SUV), adds another significant milestone to the brand’s already long list of remarkable achievements.

Specifics-wise, the five-millionth BMW doesn’t really stand out from its X5 brethren. It still carries the same a 617-hp M TwinPower Turbo V-8 engine, the same Silverstone Full Merino Leather interior, and the same 21/22-inch M Star-spoke bi-color wheels.

Finished in Toronto Red Metallic, BMW decided not to sell the X5 due to its historic significance. It will instead remain at the plant and be exhibited as part of the BMW historic collection.

“You cannot be successful in business if you do not have great products and great people. This BMW X5 M Competition is a symbol of the success of our products and the commitment and dedication of our associates and supplier network,” said Knudt Flor, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. “Every BMW X5 in the world comes from Plant Spartanburg. We are proud to call South Carolina home!”

Previous production milestones set by BMW Manufacturing include:

• 1 Millionth BMW – February 28, 2006 – Z4 M Roadster
• 1.5 Millionth BMW – September 8, 2009 – BMW X6 xDrive35i
• 2 Millionth BMW – January 12, 2012 – BMW X3 xDrive35i
• 2.5 Millionth BMW – September 17, 2013 – BMW X5 xDrive50i
• 3 Millionth BMW – March 24, 2015 – BMW X5 M
• 3.5 Millionth BMW – May 18, 2016 – BMW X4 xDrive20i
• 4 Millionth BMW – September 8, 2017 – BMW X3 xDrive M40i
• 4.5 Millionth BMW – March 7, 2019 – BMW X7 xDrive40

“More than half of the BMW vehicles we sell in the U.S. are built right here in the U.S., so we cannot overstate the importance of Plant Spartanburg to our sales network,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, president and CEO, BMW of North America.  “BMW Group has long considered the United States to be our second home and we are proud to say that the U.S. is in fact home to the biggest BMW plant in the world.  We congratulate our colleagues on this historic achievement.”

The BMW X5 we have locally, a 2020 model, sells at a starting price of P5.99 million.

Photos from BMW

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