Click to enlarge.
BMW Manufacturing celebrated a historic milestone this past April as the seven millionth BMW rolled off the assembly line in Spartanburg, SC. To commemorate this event, associates assembled a BMW ALPINA XB7 painted ALPINA Green Metallic and powered by a 4.4-liter BMW ALPINA Bi-Turbo V8, 32-valve engine, rated at 631 horsepower. This ALPINA XB7 will remain at the factory and become part of the BMW historic collection.*
“This beautiful BMW ALPINA XB7 is a testament to the great products we have, the quality of our supplier network, and the unwavering commitment and dedication of our valued associates,” said Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. “For over 30 years, BMW has proudly invested in South Carolina and its people, creating a remarkable legacy. We are excited about our future as we prepare to assemble fully electric vehicles at this plant.”
Associates finished assembling the seven millionth BMW at the end of March. However, special “white glove” modifications by Plant Spartanburg’s ALPINA team were made during the next week. This included a specially designed ALPINA front apron, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler; floormats with the ALPINA emblem; and the installation of an ALPINA commemorative badge.
Other special features of the BMW ALPINA XB7 include 23-inch ALPINA CLASSIC CS16 wheels, Tartufo Full Merino Leather upholstery, ALPINA Walnut Nature Black trim, Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof, and second-row captain’s chairs. The leather steering wheel has blue and green stitching with an ALPINA badge in the center.
Associates at the South Carolina plant assembled ~400,000 BMWs in 2024 with ~225,000 of these vehicles exported to 120 countries.
Dates for BMW Manufacturing’s “millionth” vehicles
- 1 Millionth BMW – February 28, 2006 – Z4 M Roadster
- 2 Millionth BMW – January 12, 2012 – BMW X3 xDrive35i
- 3 Millionth BMW – March 24, 2015 – BMW X5 M
- 4 Millionth BMW – September 8, 2017 – BMW X3 xDrive M40i
- 5 Millionth BMW – June 4, 2020 – BMW X5 M Competition
- 6 Millionth BMW – September 2, 2022 – BMW X6 M
- 7 Millionth BMW – April 30, 2025 – BMW ALPINA XB7
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About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Milestones – Seven Million U.S. Assembled BMWs
Click to enlarge.
BMW Manufacturing celebrated a historic milestone this past April as the seven millionth BMW rolled off the assembly line in Spartanburg, SC. To commemorate this event, associates assembled a BMW ALPINA XB7 painted ALPINA Green Metallic and powered by a 4.4-liter BMW ALPINA Bi-Turbo V8, 32-valve engine, rated at 631 horsepower. This ALPINA XB7 will remain at the factory and become part of the BMW historic collection.*
“This beautiful BMW ALPINA XB7 is a testament to the great products we have, the quality of our supplier network, and the unwavering commitment and dedication of our valued associates,” said Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. “For over 30 years, BMW has proudly invested in South Carolina and its people, creating a remarkable legacy. We are excited about our future as we prepare to assemble fully electric vehicles at this plant.”
Associates finished assembling the seven millionth BMW at the end of March. However, special “white glove” modifications by Plant Spartanburg’s ALPINA team were made during the next week. This included a specially designed ALPINA front apron, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler; floormats with the ALPINA emblem; and the installation of an ALPINA commemorative badge.
Other special features of the BMW ALPINA XB7 include 23-inch ALPINA CLASSIC CS16 wheels, Tartufo Full Merino Leather upholstery, ALPINA Walnut Nature Black trim, Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof, and second-row captain’s chairs. The leather steering wheel has blue and green stitching with an ALPINA badge in the center.
Associates at the South Carolina plant assembled ~400,000 BMWs in 2024 with ~225,000 of these vehicles exported to 120 countries.
Dates for BMW Manufacturing’s “millionth” vehicles
AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.