BMW completes $1.7 bn South Carolina investment and unveils new electric X5, eyes iX7 SUV

BMW announced the completion of its $1.7 billion investment in South Carolina, integrating the Spartanburg and Woodruff plants into a single manufacturing network that will produce the next‑generation X models, including the first fully electric BMW built in the United States, the iX5, slated for series production at the end of 2026. The Home of X event also featured the world premiere of the fifth‑generation X5, which will be offered with five different powertrain options, from internal‑combustion engines to pure‑electric and future hydrogen‑fuel‑cell variants. BMW highlighted that its U.S. operations now support more than 120 000 jobs and contribute over $43 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

Separate reporting of spy photographs shows a heavily restyled X7 that appears to be a prototype for an upcoming all‑electric version, possibly named iX7. The images suggest a large 141 kWh battery and power output comparable to the iX5, indicating BMW’s broader strategy to electrify its flagship SUV line.

These developments underscore BMW’s long‑term commitment to the U.S. market and its push toward an electrified future for its premium SUV portfolio.