SPARTANBURG, SC — BMW Manufacturing led the nation in automotive exports by value for the sixth consecutive year, according to U.S. Department of Commerce data.

During the next decade, more automakers will be adopting 48-volt electrical systems to keep up with evolving driver-assist options, onboard entertainment features and other power-sapping applications. Growing demand for mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) is also behind the trend.

DETROIT—GM is planning to manufacture approximately 500,000 hybrid or electric vehicles per year by 2017.

Manufacturers must rethink the way they cut, strip and crimp high-voltage cable.