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South Carolina Sells Its Automotive Benefits in Detroit

Submitted by: John Warner on Apr 05, 2006 at 12:40 am Tagged with: Automotive Source:

South Carolina Sells Its Automotive Benefits in Detroit; Commerce and Economic Development Allies Participate in World's Largest Auto Show SAE 2006 World Congress

COLUMBIA, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2006--The South Carolina Department of Commerce will team up with economic development allies from across the state to sell the state's benefits as a location for automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 and 2 suppliers at the 2006 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress in Detroit. More than 35,000 attendees from 45 nations participate in the weeklong conference that brings together vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, government, and academia to discuss on the state of advanced automotive technology and business.

According to Jack Ellenberg, director of Commerce's Global Business Development Division, SAE provides a unique combination of technology, knowledge, and people that provides highly-technical, educational sessions and creates an effective business environment where individuals, companies and organizations can develop beneficial relationships that may result in job-creating investment in the Palmetto State.

Commerce will highlight many of the state's automotive successes, including its longtime companies Michelin, Bosch, Siemens, Honda, Goodyear and BMW as well as newcomers DaimlerChrysler, LSP Automotive and Magna International. The booth (#1153) will also feature cutting edge research initiatives like Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research (ICAR), the National Science Foundation's only Research Center for Fuel Cells (USC), and the Savannah River National Laboratory and the Center for Hydrogen Research in Aiken.

"South Carolina was the only state in the US to have an increase in its auto manufacturing workforce over the last five years," said Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor. "Our outstanding infrastructure, customized workforce training programs, right-to-work policies, shovel-ready sites and wonderful quality of life are all reasons why auto manufacturers are relocating to our state and growing their employee base. And when you note that one out of six manufacturing jobs in South Carolina are part of the automotive industry, you can see we've been successful in targeting this industry sector."

The primary sponsor for the SAE show, BMW, is no stranger to South Carolina, having recently celebrated the one millionth BMW manufactured in the state just last month. BMW is providing one its SC-made vehicles for the state's trade show booth.

For more information about Commerce's visit to SAE, please visit http://www.sccommerce.com/sae.