BMW will build an Information Technology Research Center at Clemson University's new research campus in Greenville, making BMW the park's first non-academic tenant.

The mission of the 80,000 square-foot, four-story research center will be to develop the required methods and tools to be used in the product development process, the manufacturing process, in the car itself, as well as in the service process.

"The automotive information-technology software development process has become more complex," said Dr. Helmut Leube, President of BMW Manufacturing Corp. at the groundbreaking for Clemson's new campus in Greenville. "The research center will help BMW stay ahead with the development and integration of systems within the vehicle and also retain the high standard of performance and reliability for essential BMW vehicle functions.

"It makes sense to place the center here so that students at Clemson's Graduate School of Automotive Engineering can work with product development and manufacturing research teams," Dr. Leube added.

The BMW center will house laboratories where research will be conducted on prototype vehicles, open office areas with information technology lab spaces to be shared with partnering companies, secured research areas and an incubator space.

Ground will be broken for the BMW Information Technology Research Center in first quarter 2004 with completion slated for late 2005.

BMW announced last year a $10 million gift to Clemson University to fund a graduate engineering program that will offer masters and doctoral degrees in automotive engineering.

In addition, $25 million in state funds will be allocated to build Clemson's Graduate Engineering Center on the Greenville campus. Construction is expected to begin in second quarter 2004 with completion in late 2005. The first class of graduate students is expected to enter the program in 2005 and graduate in 2007.

"As we look to the future, Clemson's graduate program will create an additional source for quality engineers for BMW as well as the automotive industry internationally," Leube said.

BMW Manufacturing has invested more than $2.5 billion in its South Carolina operations, employs about 4,700 and is the sole manufacturer of Z4 roadsters and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles for the world market. The factory's North American supplier network includes 138 companies from Canada to Mexico to California.

Thirty-nine BMW suppliers are now located in South Carolina within a few hours drive of the Spartanburg County plant, creating nearly 7,200 jobs. Thirty-one of those companies chose to place new North American operations in South Carolina to partner with BMW.