South Carolina: Top Exporter of Tires & Passenger Vehicles

After winning top rankings for multiple years in a row, South Carolina remains the nation’s top exporter of completed passenger motor vehicles and tires. In 2022, the state’s export sales totaled $31.5 billion, up 6% over 2021.

Notable 2022 Export Statistics:

• For the ninth year in a row, South Carolina remains the national leader in the export of completed passenger vehicles, with sales topping $10.1 billion.
• For the seventh year in a row, South Carolina remains the national leader in the export of tires, with sales exceeding $1.7 billion.
• South Carolina exports reached 196 countries across six continents.

Why Exports Matter

• In South Carolina, 116,040 jobs are supported by exports (Trade.gov, 2021)
• Exports contribute to the Southeast’s GDP of 5.5 million, accounting for a fifth of the nation’s total GDP (St. Louis Federal Reserve, 2022)
• The concentration of automotive jobs in the Upstate is 6.08 times the national concentration

Read more about South Carolina’s exports

See Upstate transportation & logistics infrastructure