The South Carolina Ports Authority is expanding ro-ro operations at the North Charleston Terminal, which has Palmetto Railways railroad access.

SC Ports said the first step has been project design approval, which came May 15. The ro-ro terminal is now under construction and expected to begin operations in 2027, with full completion in 2028.

“South Carolina is home to some of the world’s largest advanced manufacturers, who rely on the Port of Charleston to keep their supply chains fluid and businesses competitive,” Micah Mallace, SC Ports president and CEO, said in a news release. “SC Ports cares deeply about serving our customers. This plan demonstrates our commitment to investing in timely projects to meet their needs, and it ensures capacity to meet their growth every step of the way.”

Ro-ro terminals load and unload wheeled cargo. Instead of using cranes, cargo is driven or towed on and off the vessel on ramps.

By adding the terminal, SC Ports said it can expand container capacity at the North Charleston Terminal. It will be built following the demolition of a former paper mill site, which SC Ports acquired in 2024.

“We are committed to growth, and we will use every acre of our real estate to welcome new cargo opportunities to Charleston,” Mallace said. “Growth at the port drives opportunity within our maritime community and creates jobs around our state.”

The Columbus Street Terminal currently has breakbulk and ro-ro operations, allowing a capacity of more than 250,000 vehicles annually through the Port of Charleston. According to the release, South Carolina contributes to 18% of completed passenger vehicle export sales, the largest U.S. market share.

“As a trusted partner of SC Ports, Palmetto Railways is dedicated to providing efficient rail cargo handling and terminal switching services across all SC Ports marine terminals,” Patrick McCrory, president and CEO of Palmetto Railways, said in the release. “SC Ports’ initiative to provide expanded rail services at its North Charleston Terminal builds on robust existing rail infrastructure and improves capacity for future cargo growth. Together, we will continue working seamlessly to enhance service for our shared customers for ro-ro operations at North Charleston Terminal, while also collaborating on future business growth opportunities at Columbus Street Terminal.”

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Scout Motors marked a big milestone both for the company and for Midlands workforce development on April 20 with the opening of its new training center on the site of the Scout Motors Production Center in Blythewood.

The new 32,500-square-foot, $25 million training center is a collaboration with readySC, the workforce development division of the South Carolina Technical College System.

Designed to prepare workers for advanced manufacturing careers, the new training center will serve as the primary hub for onboarding, upskilling and continuous workforce development as Scout Motors ramps toward production, estimated to begin by the end of 2027.

The facility reflects a long-term strategy to align training directly with modern manufacturing needs, ensuring South Carolinians are equipped for high‑quality, sustainable jobs, officials said.

“The training center represents a promise ­­– if you show up ready to build something great, we will give you modern tools, real coaching and clear pathways to growth,” said Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Scout Motors. “At Scout Motors, we don’t see the American worker as a cost to remove – we see people as an asset to invest in. The careers that begin here will support families, strengthen communities, and equip generations of South Carolinians with valuable new skills.”

Keogh attended the opening event along with South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, members of the Richland County Council and other community educators and leaders.

Scott Keogh called the training site a “front door to thousands of careers,” and marked the project’s development with a symbolic brick from the original International Harvester Scout factory in Fort Wayne, Ind., where the original iconic vehicles were produced from 1961-1980.

Funded through the $25 million investment by readySC and supported by the South Carolina Technical College System, the training center represents a significant expansion of workforce training infrastructure in the Midlands, built specifically to support Scout’s ongoing needs as the automotive manufacturer works toward the opening of its facility off Interstate 77 in Blythewood.

“Every person who walks through these doors is stepping into more than a job,” said Tim Hardee, president of the South Carolina Technical College System. “They are gaining skills that lead to real careers, the ability to support their families, and the opportunity to change what’s possible for the next generation.”

The training center is a cornerstone of Scout Motors’ broader commitment to South Carolina, where the company is investing more than $2 billion in the state‑of‑the‑art production center expected to create more than 4,000 jobs.

“South Carolina’s success is driven by our people, and this new training center ensures they have the skills needed to succeed in today’s advanced manufacturing environment,” McMaster said. “Scout Motors’ investment is a long-term commitment to our workforce, our families and the continued strength of our state’s economy.”

During the event, Scout Motors employees shared personal stories of how access to training, mentorship, and new career pathways are changing what’s possible for their families and futures.

“Before Scout Motors, I didn’t think a career in manufacturing was accessible to someone like me with no previous experience,” said Tashay Bates, a recently hired production associate, who came to manufacturing from a job in retail investigations. “This training center didn’t just give me a job — it gave me confidence, skills and a real pathway forward. Knowing that a company is willing to invest this much time and care into its people makes me proud to be part of what we’re building here.”

The company is making steady progress on its Blythewood facility, with construction advancing on more than 5 million square feet of buildings, ongoing installation of equipment and hiring underway for early production and maintenance roles.

Company officials said Scout has already hired more than 600 people in South Carolina and almost 1,400 companywide.

Once completed, the production facility will make all-electric Scout Traveler SUVs and Terra trucks. Both vehicles offer hybrid options.

The company announced plans to begin making early design validation prototype vehicles by the end of 2026 followed by a gradual ramp-up toward full production, tentatively slated for late 2027 or early 2028.

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Following two years of production in the Volvo Cars Ridgeville plant, Polestar is consolidating assembly of the Polestar 3 by bringing the model’s production operations in China to South Carolina.

The vehicle is only produced at the Ridgeville and Chengdu, China, facilities and is assembled alongside the electric Volvo EX90 SUV, according to a news release.

“The move to consolidate global Polestar 3 production in Charleston helps generate efficiencies for both companies, whilst also underscoring our confidence in the plant and the role it plays in our manufacturing footprint,” Håkan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo Cars, said in the release. ‘The U.S. is a very important market for Volvo Cars, both to support our growth ambitions as well as a strategic production site to meet regional and export demands.”

Volvo recently announced that the South Carolina production line soon will manufacture Volvo’s XC60 mid-size SUV, followed by a new hybrid model to be announced in 2030.

The Sweden-based company has invested $1.3 billion in the Ridgeville plant throughout the past decade and now has a capacity to assemble 150,000 cars per year, the release said.  The company did not say whether the consolidation plans will require more investment or additional workers.

Volvo Cars originally announced plans for the Berkeley County plant in 2015, pledging then to invest $500 million and create 4,000 jobs by 2030.

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BMW Manufacturing says the $9 billion worth of vehicles it shipped out of the country last year led the nation in automotive exports by value in 2025.

The Spartanburg County manufacturer cited data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Last year, the company’s Plant Spartanburg exported nearly 200,000 BMW X models, according to a news release. From 2014 through 2025, Plant Spartanburg exported nearly 3 million vehicles with a combined export value of $113 billion.

The BMWs assembled in Spartanburg were primarily exported through the Port of Charleston, along with four additional ports: Brunswick, Ga.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Everglades, Fla.; and Baltimore, Md. More than 14,000 vehicles were also exported via rail.

“Free trade and open markets enable growth and prosperity. Our plants — and above all the strong supplier networks in each respective region — benefit from this,” Milan Nedeljković, a member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said in the news release.

“BMW Manufacturing is proud to be the largest automotive exporter by value in the United States, a distinction that underscores our commitment to both the state of South Carolina and the nation’s economic strength,” Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing, said in the release. “Our exports play a crucial role in supporting a favorable balance of trade, which is essential for sustained economic growth.”

During 2025, associates assembled 412,799 BMW X models. The total represents the third-highest production year in the plant’s 32-year history and the seventh time the plant has exceeded 400,000 vehicles in a year, the company says.

Since 1992, the BMW Group has invested nearly $16 billion in its South Carolina operations. BMW Manufacturing is the largest BMW Group plant in the world, assembling more than 1,500 vehicles each day.

About half of the vehicles produced at the Spartanburg plant are shipped to nearly 120 global markets. In 2025, more than 52% of BMW vehicles sold in the United States were produced at Plant Spartanburg, according to the release.

The plant’s model lineup includes five top-selling BMW X models, three Motorsport X models and two plug-in hybrid electric vehicle X models. The facility employs more than 11,000 people on-site.

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Taking the ranking of the third highest year for the state, South Carolina industries in 2025 committed to a total capital investment of $9.12 billion that will lead to more than 8,100 new jobs.  

The South Carolina Department of Commerce’s 2025 industry recruitment results also reported that rural job recruitment accounts for more than 40% of the total new employment. According to a news release, that is the highest percentage since 2010. 

“Rural success is deliberate – driven by strong collaboration among state leadership, local economic developers and committed partners – and fuels economic growth in every corner of the state,” Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey, said in the release. “South Carolina’s milestone in rural recruitment in 2025 underscores our commitment to bolstering the potential of these communities and supporting the diverse growth that strengthens every part of the economy and every region of the state.” 

Additionally, rural recruitment accounted for $4.25 billion, almost half of the total capital investment. According to the release, 3,500 of the total new jobs were rural which include agribusiness, automotive, energy, and wood and paper products. 

The state had 82 projects announced, 34 of which were in rural counties in Tiers III and IV, according to the South Carolina Department of Revenue.  

“South Carolina continues to bring in record years in economic development, and this third-highest year for industry recruitment is further proof that our strategy is working,” Gov. Henry McMaster said in the release. “Our success in rural communities shows that opportunity exists in every corner of our state. By investing in our workforce and supporting pro-business laws and policies, we continue to bring in thousands of jobs that benefit South Carolina families and strengthen our entire state.” 

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Baxter Manufacturing, a supplier for the plastics industry, is expanding its operations in Oconee County. The company’s $15.7 million investment will create 36 new jobs, according to a news release from the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

With more than 40 years of experience, Baxter Manufacturing is a family-owned, full-service supplier to the plastics industry.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our operations in Oconee County for a second time in less than eight years, a testament to the quality workforce and pro-business environment we have found here,” Baxter Manufacturing President Bill Clark said in the release. “This expansion is a key part of our strategic vision, allowing us to better meet our customer demands and position ourselves for future growth. We deeply value the dedicated team members who have contributed to our success over the years and look forward to a bright future in the community.”

The company’s Oconee County operation, established in 2017, is a Tier 1 supplier of manufactured plastic injection-molded automotive parts.

“It’s another ‘Top Shelf for Business’ day in Oconee County with Baxter Manufacturing’s expansion of their Westminster facility,” Oconee Economic Alliance President and CEO Jamie Gilbert said in the news release. “Oconee County and Baxter have enjoyed a tremendous partnership since they established their facility here in 2017. They were the first manufacturer to locate to the Oconee Industry and Technology Park and have greatly exceeded their original expectations for the operation. Baxter’s growth in Oconee is reflective of the company’s strength, as well as Oconee’s excellent workforce and business climate.”

Baxter Manufacturing will add 35,000 square feet and new machinery to its facility, located at 1000 Innovation Way in Westminster, to increase its production capabilities and meet the needs of its automotive customers, the release stated.

“I am pleased that Baxter Manufacturing has chosen to expand its existing operations in Oconee County,” State Sen. Thomas C. Alexander said in the release. “It is great to see a family-owned company continue to thrive in our community, supported by a great workforce. This over $15 million investment and creation of additional jobs will continue to be a benefit to Oconee County and the state of South Carolina.”

Baxter Manufacturing was established in Winchester, Tenn., in 1997 and established its site in Westminster in 2016. The company is related to Amtech Mold & Engineering of Michigan, which also has an Oconee County operation.

The expanded facilities in Oconee County are expected to be online in the  third quarter of 2026 and the company is hiring.

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Carolina Detail Co., a vehicle storage and high-end detailing service provider, has opened a 10,000-square-foot facility in North Charleston. 

According to a news release, the facility will offer full-service detailing, ceramic coatings, paint protection film, window tint and maintenance services with climate-controlled storage.  

“This expansion represents a major milestone for our team and the clients we serve,” Andrew Van Kirk, founder and CEO of Carolina Detail Co., said in the release. “Charleston’s climate and infrastructure present some unique challenges, especially for luxury and collector vehicles. Our new facility will allow us to provide the highest level of protection, precision, and care in an environment designed specifically for these needs.” 

Carolina Detail recently merged with Gloss Boss, adding its founder, Hunter Murray, onto the executive team.  

Located at the Carolina Detail Co. campus at 2390 Airpark Road, Suite 107, the facility’s grand opening will be Dec. 6 from 3-6 p.m. and opened to the public.  

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Thomas Jessulat believes the future has a place for old and new.

As the CEO of ElringKlinger, he is at the helm of the world’s leading manufacturer of the head gaskets that seal internal combustion engines around the globe. He was in Easley on Oct. 29 to celebrate a plant expansion to serve the future — EV manufacturing market.

“When we look into the automotive markets, we see different technologies … the technologies are different in the various regions of the world,” Jessulat said. “Every technology has its merit and no technology will completely disappear in our opinion. Every technology has its place.”

ErlingKlinger in June 2024 announced plans for a $40.3 million investment in a site at the old speedway property in Easley that would set up a 226,000-square-foot facility to employ 115 workers. The announcement this week followed Pickens County Council action that cleared the way for an expansion project that will bring the company’s commitment to the site to $68.5 million and 294 new jobs.

“Today’s meeting gives the greenlight for the expansion of our plant,” Jessulat said. “Our sophisticated products in combustion engine technology represents also the backbone of this project here. … We have developed new applications for products in the area of e-mobility and this is exactly what our innovation in Easley stands for. We, in South Carolina, were able to focus on the future of mobility in Easley, our new e-mobility hub for the American market.”

Located at 317 Grand National Lane in Easley, ElringKlinger plans to expand its production of cell contact systems for a major global premium car manufacturer, while also increasing output of lightweight components for electric vehicles and other new projects. Operations are expected to be online in the first quarter of 2027.

Jessulat said the 140-year-old German company will continue to develop and manufacture products for every segment of the automotive market.

“The forecast is that electric vehicles will play just as important a role as hydrogen vehicles  and internal combustion engines will continue to be in demand for a long time,” he said.

The company’s total commitment to the Easley site came in three parts and totals $135 million. Eventually employment could eventually reach 410, Pickens County Council Chairman Alex Saitta said.

“The expansion of the plant in Easley, S.C., is another milestone for ElringKlinger in the implementation of our SHAPE30 transformation strategy,” Jessulat said in a news release from the South Carolina Department of Commerce. “Thanks to the distinguished characteristics of the state of South Carolina, Pickens County offers excellent opportunities for establishing and further developing future technologies for the automotive industry in the U.S. Based on large-scale production orders already secured, we will ramp-up and expand the production of innovative battery and lightweight components.”

Saitta said ElringKlinger said he wants the moms and dads of Pickens County to know the employer they’ve always wanted for their children has arrived, offerings jobs for everyone from production workers to Ph.D.s.

The site’s general manager is Wilfried Hoch.

Ray Farley, executive director of Alliance Pickens, represented the county in recruiting the company and working out many of the details in a deal to secure their spot at Speedway Industrial & Technology Park. Speedway Industrial & Technology Park is being developed by RealtyLink LLC. ElringKlinger and Carolina Handling committed to the park in the same week in June 2024. Both are already operating.

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ABA Automotive, a Turkey-based belt tensioners and idler pulleys manufacturer, is establishing its first U.S. operations in North Charleston. 

The manufacturer’s presence represents a $400,000 investment in the facility and three new jobs, according to a news release, ABA chose the Lowcountry for its logistics strength and access to the Port of Charleston.  

The facility will be located at 4500 Leeds Ave. in North Charleston and will focus on sales, warehousing, distribution and customer support, according to the release.  

“We are excited to bring ABA to Charleston County. The support we have received has been phenomenal, and we felt welcomed from the very beginning,” Dunya Bulut, ABA Automotive managing director, said in the release. “This new facility will enable us to serve our North American customers better while leveraging Charleston’s robust logistics network and vibrant community. We look forward to exploring ways to contribute locally, building on our experience, and supporting local businesses.” 

ABA Automotive has been in business for over 40 years will a history in technical education and animal welfare support, according to the new release.  

“Charleston County is a global business destination. As one of the fastest-growing auto parts manufacturers worldwide, ABA Automotive is a seasoned company distinguished by its high-tech engineering and forward-thinking management. Their new facility brings valued investment to our welcoming business community,” Kylon Middleton, Charleston County Council chairman, said in the release.  

Hiring for the Charleston facility will begin closer to the end of the year. Interested candidates can learn more by emailing info@aba-automotive.com.

“We welcome ABA Automotive to the North Charleston family. Their presence strengthens our manufacturing community, creates quality jobs, and adds momentum to the positive growth we’re seeing across the city,” North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess said in the release. “Together, we’re building a future where international partnerships drive opportunity for all.” 

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Even though a million-square-foot building already exists at the site of Isuzu’s future production facility, CEO Masanori Katayama likened the company’s plans there to a round of golf that hasn’t quite started.

It’s like approaching the first tee, he told a crowd gathered Oct. 1 for a groundbreaking at the Augusta Road home of the future manufacturing operation.

“We are all standing there looking at the tee and looking down the fairway and envisioning the first shot and great success,” he said.

The $280 million factory will be operational in 2027, Katayama said, and will employ more than 700 by the end of the following year.

“We are proud to make the Upstate our new home,” said the CEO, who also is Isuzu Motors Limited’s chairman and representative director. “We are committed to working alongside you, not only as a company but also as a neighbor and partner that contributes to the life and future of this vision. When I think of South Carolina I think about the golf courses here. I hope that one day I can join you on the golf course but I should warn you that my golf game is not as strong and reliable as our trucks.”

Guests for the event included Gov. Henry McMaster and Commerce Secretary Harry M. Lightsey, representing South Carolina, and the Japanese Ambassador to the United States Shigeo Yamada.

As part of the program, McMaster and Katayama participated in a ceremonial gift exchange, and Isuzu leaders, state officials and community representatives participated in a symbolic turning of soil. McMaster and Katayama also turned soil over a newly planted Yoshino cherry trees to symbolize new beginnings and an enduring friendship between Japan and the United States. These trees are the same variety gifted by Japan to the United States in 1912, which now bloom each spring around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., according to a the company.

Ambassador Yamada said the Greenville facility is Isuzu’s first wholly owned manufacturing plant in the United States and a location that can contribute to not only the shared prosperity between the United States and Japan but also a point of cultural common ground.

“Looking to the future we hope that through the presence of this Isuzu factory the people of South Carolina will get to know Japan even better and also feel a close affinity with Japan and Japanese culture,” he said. “South Carolinians and Japanese share a close spirit that is, here in South Carolina, called Southern hospitality and in Japan is called omotenashi. Different in form, but same at heart.  These represent our shared desire to make others feel welcome, whether over a cup of sweet tea or a cup of green tea, so this factory will further deepen the relationship between our two peoples.”

Yamada said Japan and the United States have a strong economic partnership and South Carolina is a significant part of it.

“More than 200 Japanese establishments are in South Carolina which is a very clear statement on the strength and breadth of our relationship,” he said. “Japan has been the largest direct investor into the United States for the last six or seven years.”

Yamada said Isuzu, named for the River Isuzu in Japan, entered the North American market in 1984.

“Just like the steady flow of water from that river, Isuzu has steadily expanded its reach across the world,” he said. “So over 40 years since the entrance to this market, Isuzu has been a very steady supporter of the logistics across this country. Now with this new facility, it’s the first wholly owned production facility of Isuzu in North America, Isuzu is making another historic step forward … and this facility will contribute to the shared prosperity of Isuzu and this Palmetto State.”

Noboru Murakami, chairman and CEO of Isuzu North America Corp., said the company chose Greenville after a nationwide search, with the company’s choice influenced by other manufacturers, the state’s automotive production base, access to the port system, a skilled workforce and economic development support from state and local governments.

“Every time I come to Greenville I always look forward to having barbecue,” he said after the ceremony. “I personally like the brisket but choosing the right barbecue sauce is always challenging. There are so many options for someone from Japan. It feels like a test of local knowledge and of courage. But unlike choosing barbecue sauce, selecting Greenville, S.C., as the site for our new plant was not that difficult a decision.”

“This groundbreaking underscores our strong commitment to the North American market,” Murakami said in the news release. “With this new plant, we are getting closer to our customers and the market, strengthening our ability to serve them, and investing in the future. Our new facility will create jobs, contribute to the local economy, and provide a foundation for long-term growth and success.”

McMaster emphasized the significance of Isuzu’s investment.

“Today’s groundbreaking represents more than the start of a construction project; it is a reflection of South Carolina’s reputation as a destination for world-class companies,” he said in the release. “Isuzu’s presence here will strengthen our economy, provide opportunities for our people, and further demonstrate the benefits of investing in our state.”

Isuzu’s new facility on 200 is mostly shell space now. Construction will include building the interior production and storage space for Isuzu’s medium-duty truck lineup.

The company’s U.S. investment strategy extends beyond this new facility, according to the release. Isuzu is increasing its sourcing of parts from domestic suppliers and expanding its advanced automotive technology research and development initiatives in the United States.

The facility will consolidate all assembly and logistics operations under one roof. The plant  will streamline operations — spanning KD storage, parts management, vehicle production and post-production installation — while providing the flexibility to respond to evolving customer demands in the North American commercial vehicle market, the release stated.

Isuzu commercial trucks have been the best-selling low cab forward trucks in America every year since 1986. Headquartered in Anaheim, Calif., Isuzu North America Corp. supplies Isuzu commercial vehicles for sale in the United States and Canada and is a subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited.

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