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lukanz t1_isz65wr wrote

Why not in germany ?

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swiftessence t1_iszeq3q wrote

Build back better has stipulations for products to be made in the United States for tax breaks. South Carolina has poor labor laws, unionization rates, and wages compared to most other areas in the United States. They are also on the Atlantic near ports with easier access to shipments to and from Europe.

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C-hound t1_it0o137 wrote

I'm from SC and I was shocked how much more I made in other parts of the country. The tradeoff is, in general the cost of living is much lower, so people don't think they're being lowballed even though they dodge potholes on the road after dropping their kids off at shitty schools. I have moved back and though I love my home I also loathe it in many ways. I'm angry at my state because I love it.

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Gsteel11 t1_it2db5y wrote

The red state delimia: low wages and low cost of living in an area that won't ever fully develop, and this will always have mostly subpar jobs and low standards of living.

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MissingNumeral t1_iszvcfw wrote

To add to this there’s an inland port only a few miles from there. The trains through here piss me right the fuck off

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juggarjew t1_it3a86b wrote

Leave it to a local to be pissed off about investment and a growing economy that benefits us all.

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FriendlyDespot t1_iszawaw wrote

Presumably because the United States is BMW's second-biggest market, with 40% more sales than in Germany, and so they won't want to get caught up in another trade conflict. BMW is also the largest vehicle exporter by value in the United States, and paying tariffs to import assembled batteries from elsewhere, and then paying tariffs again when exporting the vehicle doesn't make a lot of sense for them.

And, of course, South Carolina workers are more acquiescent, and the state government much less interested in labour rights than other jurisdictions. BMW also gets obscene tax benefits from the state, because South Carolinians love nothing more than giving corporate handouts.

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guy_incognito784 t1_iszecvg wrote

Well that and I'm guessing BMW wants buyers to qualify for the federal EV tax credit since cars must use batteries produced in the US in order to qualify for the federal tax credit.

Tons of other auto manufacturers are doing the exact same thing, the change in the tax code is working as intended.

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juggarjew t1_it39xb9 wrote

Building the batteries here will also allow them to qualify for the full tax credit, there are multiple reasons at play here.

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cuteman t1_it0ctn3 wrote

Batteries are heavy and not ideal for long transport

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