Roughly 70 percent of the Spartanburg plant's production is exported, representing a value of about $7.5bn. The impact on the U.S. trade deficit would be larger if it didn't have to be adjusted by subtracting the value of engines imported from Europe for the vehicles.

The engines and transmissions, the soul of any vehicle, are imported from BMW's European plants. The automaker dismisses rumors that additional production of vehicles may create a business case for its first engine and transmission plant in North America.

Read Full Article