BMW Plant Tour Greenville South Carolina 2013

BMW Plant Tour Greenville South Carolina 2013 Photos and Stories.

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Greenville South Carolina 2013

Story provided by Geoff Wheatley Contact for Information.

BMW Plant Tour Greenville South Carolina 2013

Image Credit: Courtesy of BMW 2013

BMW Plant Tour Greenville South Carolina 2013

By Geoff Wheatley

At 8.30 AM on a march morning twenty four members of my car club lined up for entry into the BMW Plant at Greenville South Carolina, and a visit to the BMW Museum adjacent to the visitors building. The majority of us had driven up the previous day, some staying at the Marriott Hotel and others at various other locations. This scribe chose the Marriott and can say that without doubt it was an excellent choice. That evening we dined at a local Italian restaurant enjoyed a decent meal washed down with some equally enjoyable Italian wine. The entry fee to be part of the tour was seven dollars, not much of a fortune considering the experience that awaited us. The professional tour guide advised everyone that no cell phones etc., were permitted inside the plant as they could affect the workings of the Robots. (More on that later). Each visitor was given a headset and a pair of safety glasses that were to be worn at all times. We were divided into two groups and set off to walk approximately one mile and see one of the most modern assembly plants in the world. Greenville makes all of the BMW SUV vehicles which are sold in Europe, Asia, South America, India etc.. In consequence the first thing you notice is that the steering wheels on the part assembled cars are both on the left and right hand side. As the vehicles slowly move along the lines each operation is monitored by at least two and often more individuals who are trained to do a variety of operations so that no one operator gets stuck with the same task day after day. This was certainly the case in the past where an individual's workload may be to hammer in lugs or fit four wheels day after day which obviously led to errors, sometimes serious errors.

Image Credit: Courtesy of BMW 2013

The real wonder of the total assembly process is the way that Robot's have taken over most of the work. These machines, if that the right word to describe them, can fit a complete windscreen in fifteen seconds. Yes I said fifteen seconds. A little longer for a moon roof at eighteen seconds and a complete dash with all the instruments around the same time. How about wheels? From the time they are picked up complete with tire, its twenty five seconds and that includes the holding bolt. Note I said one holding bolt. This is to ensure that if the tire is out of balance and/or not satisfactory, it can be easily removed. Furthermore the work of each Robot is undertaken without any error.

Each component is perfect and ready for the next stage of construction. Doors are prepared off the car then fitted during the last stages of production, painted and complete. This is done in order that the inside of the vehicle can be accessed easily for roof linings , seats, wiring connection etc., can be completed without having to crawl around the doors. Those of us who do our own repairs are fully aware of this problem. (You only try to fit a replacement roof lining once in your life!) About 40% of the required parts are made within a hundred or so miles of the plant but the engines are produced in Germany and shipped to the plant by boat. It is planned in the near future that a special runway will be constructed from the local airport so that transport planes can virtually come to the back door and unload. The plant keeps growing year by year and employs approximately 15,000 people and that's not counting the workers in the companies that supply the components that are made in the USA. Our visit was one of the last for the next two years as the whole plant is undergoing expansion therefore the construction would make such visits impossible. You, like me may be surprised by the next statement remembering that this plant produces 1100 vehicles a day six days a week, two shifts a day.

2013 BMW X3
Image Credit: Courtesy of BMW 2013

Every SUV produced is already paid for! No car leaves the factory unless the Dealer, no matter where he or she may reside, has placed an order and paid in advance.

Image Credit: Courtesy of BMW 2013
2013 BMW X5 diesel

The final test is to run the vehicle at its allowed maximum speed and this is done in enclosed cubicles. There are certain restrictions on how fast any vehicle can go in various countries. In the U.S. it's a max of 140 MPH. In Germany and certain other European countries there is no limit. However, you can still get speeding tickets if you exceed the local limit but the car is capable of such speeds. To this scribe 140MPH is fast enough in fact the best I ever did a few years ago with a small BMW Z3, on a Canadian Highway, was 125.

The car could have done more but this guy could not! Black is the most desired color in the U.S. but worldwide its Silver. I can confirm that as my current X 3 is black and I tend to like it despite the fact that it shows every dust mark.

It was quite an education to visit and tour this plant and of course the wonderful museum that is incorporated in the complex. You tend to leave the BMW tour with one wish...To win the lottery and buy your first or another new BMW.

2013 BMW X6
Image Credit: Courtesy of BMW 2013