By: Vareva Harris, Co-Editor | vareva@thewoodrufftimes.com
There is no shortage of pushback from Spartanburg residents following recent remarks by White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro, who criticized BMW, stating that its business model poses economic and national security threats to the U.S. The response from the Upstate community has been swift, passionate, and united: Leave BMW alone.
Navarro’s comments sparked conversations across South Carolina, particularly in Spartanburg County, where BMW’s largest manufacturing plant in the world—Plant Spartanburg—has become a cornerstone of the region’s economy and identity.
“If BMW were to shut down and leave the Upstate, 11,000 skilled American workers would lose their jobs overnight. Fathers and mothers, veterans, and countless others who’ve built their lives around the opportunities BMW provides would be pushed into poverty,” said Dr. Rallie Liston, education consultant and former superintendent of Spartanburg School District Four. “The impact would be catastrophic on many levels—especially when considering the multiplier effect of BMW’s supply chain and economic ecosystem that is deeply woven throughout the Upstate and across South Carolina. For over 30 years, BMW has been the lifeblood of Spartanburg. Similarly, Scout Motors in Columbia, Volvo’s factory in Ridgeville, and Mercedes-Benz in Charleston have all had profound impacts on the communities they serve.” said Dr. Rallie Liston, Education Consultant, and former Superintendent for Spartanburg School District Four.
The BMW Spartanburg facility, which opened in 1994, has been a model of economic development, drawing in suppliers, spurring small businesses, and supporting thousands of indirect jobs. Beyond the economic metrics, residents emphasize the human cost of any disruption through numerous social media posts.
“BMW is more than a company here—it’s a community. It’s the reason thousands of families own homes, send their kids to college, and contribute to the local economy,” said a plant employee and U.S. Army veteran who has worked at BMW for over a decade.
“To say it’s a threat to national security is not just wrong—it’s offensive. BMW is no more a threat to the U.S. than Tesla, Ford, or GM.”
Critics of Navarro’s statement warn that undermining BMW could deal a serious blow to the region’s surging growth, which has been a hallmark of governors in South Carolina since Carrol Campbell to Henry McMaster. Economic analysts note that the BMW ecosystem has played a central role in South Carolina’s transformation into a global manufacturing hub.
“We thoroughly respect and admire BMW,” said Councilman Grant DeSheilds, Spartanburg County Council, who represents Woodruff where BMW has broken ground for a facility that exceeds one million square feet. “BMW is essential to our way of life here in Spartanburg County, and we don’t expect to see any federal government overreach, interference, or disruption to BMW operations in Spartanburg.”
United States Representative William Timmons made his statement on X saying, “President Trump is doing incredible work to strengthen American manufacturing and make America great again.
As the representative of SC-04, home to BMW USA and the tens of thousands of people it employs both directly and indirectly, I can assure you that BMW IS good for South Carolina AND America.
BMW’s Plant Spartanburg has been one of the largest automotive exporters by value in the United States for the past ten years, with an export value of $10.1 BILLION.
BMW exports more vehicles from the United States than we import into the country, effectively reducing our trade deficit.
Plant Spartanburg generates a total economic impact of $26.7 billion to our state while supporting nearly 43,000 jobs and $3.1 billion in wages and salaries for many families in my district.
Tariffs are a necessary move to protect American workers and rebuild our economy. BMW USA’s direct investment in South Carolina is a critical component of that. I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure SC-04 thrives for generations to come.”
For now, the message from Spartanburg is clear: Leave BMW Alone. BMW has not only earned its place in the American economic landscape—it has become essential to it.
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South Carolinians Defend BMW Amid Navarro Criticism: “Leave BMW Alone”
By: Vareva Harris, Co-Editor | vareva@thewoodrufftimes.com
There is no shortage of pushback from Spartanburg residents following recent remarks by White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro, who criticized BMW, stating that its business model poses economic and national security threats to the U.S. The response from the Upstate community has been swift, passionate, and united: Leave BMW alone.
Navarro’s comments sparked conversations across South Carolina, particularly in Spartanburg County, where BMW’s largest manufacturing plant in the world—Plant Spartanburg—has become a cornerstone of the region’s economy and identity.
“If BMW were to shut down and leave the Upstate, 11,000 skilled American workers would lose their jobs overnight. Fathers and mothers, veterans, and countless others who’ve built their lives around the opportunities BMW provides would be pushed into poverty,” said Dr. Rallie Liston, education consultant and former superintendent of Spartanburg School District Four. “The impact would be catastrophic on many levels—especially when considering the multiplier effect of BMW’s supply chain and economic ecosystem that is deeply woven throughout the Upstate and across South Carolina. For over 30 years, BMW has been the lifeblood of Spartanburg. Similarly, Scout Motors in Columbia, Volvo’s factory in Ridgeville, and Mercedes-Benz in Charleston have all had profound impacts on the communities they serve.” said Dr. Rallie Liston, Education Consultant, and former Superintendent for Spartanburg School District Four.
The BMW Spartanburg facility, which opened in 1994, has been a model of economic development, drawing in suppliers, spurring small businesses, and supporting thousands of indirect jobs. Beyond the economic metrics, residents emphasize the human cost of any disruption through numerous social media posts.
“BMW is more than a company here—it’s a community. It’s the reason thousands of families own homes, send their kids to college, and contribute to the local economy,” said a plant employee and U.S. Army veteran who has worked at BMW for over a decade.
“To say it’s a threat to national security is not just wrong—it’s offensive. BMW is no more a threat to the U.S. than Tesla, Ford, or GM.”
Critics of Navarro’s statement warn that undermining BMW could deal a serious blow to the region’s surging growth, which has been a hallmark of governors in South Carolina since Carrol Campbell to Henry McMaster. Economic analysts note that the BMW ecosystem has played a central role in South Carolina’s transformation into a global manufacturing hub.
“We thoroughly respect and admire BMW,” said Councilman Grant DeSheilds, Spartanburg County Council, who represents Woodruff where BMW has broken ground for a facility that exceeds one million square feet. “BMW is essential to our way of life here in Spartanburg County, and we don’t expect to see any federal government overreach, interference, or disruption to BMW operations in Spartanburg.”
United States Representative William Timmons made his statement on X saying, “President Trump is doing incredible work to strengthen American manufacturing and make America great again.
As the representative of SC-04, home to BMW USA and the tens of thousands of people it employs both directly and indirectly, I can assure you that BMW IS good for South Carolina AND America.
BMW’s Plant Spartanburg has been one of the largest automotive exporters by value in the United States for the past ten years, with an export value of $10.1 BILLION.
BMW exports more vehicles from the United States than we import into the country, effectively reducing our trade deficit.
Plant Spartanburg generates a total economic impact of $26.7 billion to our state while supporting nearly 43,000 jobs and $3.1 billion in wages and salaries for many families in my district.
Tariffs are a necessary move to protect American workers and rebuild our economy. BMW USA’s direct investment in South Carolina is a critical component of that. I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure SC-04 thrives for generations to come.”
For now, the message from Spartanburg is clear: Leave BMW Alone. BMW has not only earned its place in the American economic landscape—it has become essential to it.
Author: Vareva Harris
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