On Friday, June 13, German automaker BMW, announced plans to expand its United States operations through an investment of $270 million. The U.S. represents the largest market for luxury car sales in the world.

"These investments show that we are convinced of the continued long-term growth of the U.S. market despite the difficult economic conditions currently," said Ian Robertson, BMW sales chief, in a prepared statement.

In 2007 BMW sold 336,000 vehicles in America, an increase of 7.1 percent and approximately 22 percent of the total group sales.

Approximately $170 million will be invested in to parts distribution centers in Pennsylvania and Illinois in an effort to handle the growth in volume and the increasing need for spare parts.

Another $100 million will be used to expand BMW's headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. that currently employs approximately 1,000 people.

In the same statement BMW confirmed an additional investment of $750 million for expanded production of facilities in Spartanburg, S.C. where X3, X5, and X6 SUVs are assembled. Currently the plant has a capacity of 160,000 units, which will be expanded to 240,000 by 2012.