Manufacturing Mecca to the World

©iStock/wellesenterprises

BMW’s biggest auto-producing plant in the world is in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  It has helped draw more than 200 companies from two dozen countries to Spartanburg County.  And the German company — not an American icon like Ford or General Motors — is now the largest exporter of cars made in the United States, turning the port of Charleston, S.C., into a hub for global trade.

But the big question:  Is USA's President Trump setting off a global trade battle that will effect the town's livelihood?

One thing is for sure:

BMW saved Spartanburg and transformed South Carolina into a manufacturing mecca to the world,” said Mr. Britt, a member of the County Council. “When you mess with the golden goose, they’re family, and you’re messing with me.” 

Read more here.

Gray Market: Exporting BMWs from the US to China

iStock/Thinkstock

As Quartz indicates in the headline, this may be illegal:

How to export BMWs from the US to China for fun and profit (Note:  this is possibly illegal).

Operating in a gray market is a form of international trade that still exists and is oftentimes referred to as a “parallel market.” If you want to get a better handle on what parallel importing is, I provide an example of parallel importing and touch on the lawfulness of parallel importations here.

Learn more about how people are making money off illicitly trading automobiles:

A Profitable Trade:  Illicitly Shipping BMWs to China (WSJ.com)

Before you attempt to export or import cars, check with the manufacturer to see if they have a "no export" provision in their policy and also check the agreement with the car dealership to make sure they don't have a clause within it stating "you agree not to export this car at all or within a specific period of time."