Publications
Independent Automotive Research & Industry Insights
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) delivers independent, data-driven research and analysis to inform industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders navigating the evolving automotive landscape. Our research examines the economic, technological, manufacturing, and policy developments shaping the future of North America’s automotive industry.
From automotive trade policy, supply chains, and economic trends to advanced manufacturing, electrification, workforce development, and emerging technologies, CAR’s publications provide credible insights and informed perspectives on the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
Explore our library of automotive research reports, white papers, economic analyses, and industry studies to better understand the forces shaping automotive competitiveness, innovation, and the future of mobility. A lot of CAR’s research is publicly available, reflecting our commitment to advancing industry knowledge and informed decision-making.
Explore CAR Research Publications
Browse our latest research or search the collection to find analysis on the automotive industry topics most relevant to your organization.
Behavioral Safety: A Global Benchmark to Inform U.S. Policy, Enforcement, and Public Awareness
Roadway safety remains a persistent challenge, but what can we learn by looking beyond our borders and across state lines? Our recent assessment reveals that between 2016 and 2023, the U.S. reported approximately twice the motor vehicle fatalities per capita on average compared to peer nations like Australia, Canada, France,…
Vehicle Affordability – Defining, Diagnosing, and Understanding New Vehicle Affordability in the United States
Vehicle affordability is a critical concern for consumers, automakers, and policymakers, but looking only at sticker prices tells an incomplete story. This comprehensive white paper examines over two decades of data to unpack the true drivers of new vehicle affordability. By analyzing household income, financing, production costs, and total ownership…
Rebuilding North American Tooling: Risk, Resiliency, and a New Economic Model
In the Center for Automotive Research’s latest white paper, Rebuilding North American Tooling: Risk, Resiliency, and a New Economic Model, we examine a foundational part of the automotive manufacturing ecosystem that is increasingly becoming a strategic concern. Dies, molds, fixtures, jigs, machine tools, and related equipment are essential to launching…
China’s Automotive Surge: The Six ‘S’ Framework Underpinning China’s Global Competitiveness
In the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) latest white paper, China’s Automotive Surge: The Six ‘S’ Framework Underpinning China’s Global Competitiveness, we examine the interconnected factors behind China’s rapid rise. CAR’s research identifies six reinforcing drivers: Set Up – A decades-long industrial strategy built around policy, technology transfer, scale, and…
China Speed: Mapping the Product Development Race and North America’s Response
China’s automotive industry has rapidly evolved from a domestic manufacturing base into a global force that is impacting vehicle production, supply chains, technology development, and competitive dynamics across every major automotive market. At MBS 2026, CAR’s “China Speed: Mapping the Product Development Race and North America’s response” roundtable convened automotive…
Impact of Automotive Tariffs: Understanding the Effects on Parts, Tooling, and Vehicles
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) MBS 2026 roundtable series convened automotive leaders from the U.S. and Canada to discuss one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: how tariffs are redefining manufacturing, supply chains, and the future of North American competitiveness. Participants included automakers, suppliers, researchers, and representatives from Canada…
Michigan Automotive Workforce Needs Assessment – Part F Interim Report
Michigan Automotive Workforce Needs Assessment Part F Interim Report As the automotive industry navigates transformative shifts in manufacturing, propulsion technologies, and increasing vehicle complexity, it is essential to assess how these changes are redefining workforce skill demands. CAR completed a three-part study in 2025 in collaboration with Michigan’s Department of…
Smart Manufacturing in Automotive: Deployment and Impact
Smart Manufacturing in Automotive: Deployment and Impact The automotive industry is entering a new phase of AI/machine learning (ML) and automation. The question for manufacturers serving the automotive, tire, and battery markets is no longer whether to adopt, but how quickly and where to put smart manufacturing to work, according…
Tariff Impact Analysis on Automakers in the United States: 25% Tariffs – Imported Auto Parts and Light Vehicles
CAR developed a tariff modeling framework for AAPC to assess the impacts of initially proposed tariffs on automobiles and auto parts. The analysis combined unique top-down and bottom-up approaches to estimate cost exposure across the industry, enabling detailed assessment by automaker, region, and vehicle model to support data-driven policy and…
Indiana Automotive Manufacturing Transition Analysis
As the automotive industry undergoes shifts as a result of changing propulsion technologies including electric vehicles, it is key to examine opportunities for businesses to understand potential strategic pathways to expand or diversify their product and service offerings. In 2025, CAR conducted an analysis of Indiana’s automotive manufacturing businesses across…