RESEARCH
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CAR Research Groups:
Economics & Business Group

Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology

Transportation and Information Systems Planning

Publications:
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Staff:
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Economics and Business Group (EBG)
Sean McAlinden, PhD, Director
Kim Hill, Assistant Director

The Economics and Business Group performs economic and business modeling of many areas of the world motor vehicle industry for the purpose of forecasting and policy analysis. EBG frequently carries out economic surveys, and organizes and collects special sets of information on the motor vehicle industry. Special automotive topics of investigation for the group have included international trade, global investment, estimation of the economic significance of the industry, the development of major human resource issues, productivity measurement, the impact and need for public policy measures and changes in both product and process technology. All types of business and economic research methods are employed by the group in partnership with other researchers from many other organizations and universities. The group’s research focuses on a better understanding of the economic role of the motor vehicle industry in society and describing the essential economic causes of industry change.

EBG’s current projects include work in the areas of the automotive industry’s contribution to the U.S. economy and the Internet readiness of second tier automotive suppliers. The group also administers the Automotive Communities Program (ACP) with about 40 clients communities located in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Ontario. This program aims to assist in the economic development of the automotive communities by bringing representatives from automotive manufacturing and suppliers together with the communities to discuss and better understand the community/industry dynamic and the industry’s competitive issues. Additionally the program examines the public policy issues which affect future automotive investment across the region.

Major sponsors of EBG's work have included: the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, the Mott Foundation, the State of Michigan, and the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Labor.