
German Automakers in the U.S.
Some basic facts: Last year BMW produced more than 400,000 cars at its $7 billion plant in . . . South Carolina. About 70% of the cars were exported, which makes BMW the top automotive exporter in the U.S. Last year a Mercedes plant in Alabama made 300,000 cars. Foreign-based auto makers (including Toyota, Mitsubishi and others) produced 5.5 million cars in America last year and have invested $75 billion in U.S. operations.