Publications
The Center for Automotive Research is involved in the research of significant issues that relate to the future direction of the global automotive industry. As a nonprofit research organization, and in cooperation with study funders, most CAR research is released publicly through this website.
CAR Research Memorandum: The Effect on the U.S. Economy of the Successful Restructuring of General Motors – An Update
CAR has released an update to the initial “CAR Research Memorandum: The Effect on the U.S. Economy of the Successful Restructuring of General Motors.” The first version of the study was released in December 2013 and estimates the effect on the U.S. economy of the successful restructuring of General Motors….
The Impact of Federal Regulations on Franchised Automobile Dealers
At the request of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) examined the economic costs of U.S. light vehicle dealerships’ federal regulatory compliance. This study examined only the costs incurred by U.S. light vehicle dealerships to comply with a group of roughly 60 federal regulations,…
Advanced Information Technology Solutions: An Engine of Innovation
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) developed this white paper to identify the key market drivers that influence the use of automotive IT solutions, investigate new tools and approaches to IT that address these market drivers, and to evaluate information technology’s potential impact on the automotive industry. CAR’s research included…
Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Sustainable Transportation Systems in Beijing
With an increasing population and expanding economy, China has emerged as an important world power. In recent decades, China’s urban population has grown exponentially, with a corresponding increase in the personal wealth of citizens. The capital city of Beijing exemplifies the rapid development of urban China. The city is now…
CAR Research Memorandum: Economic Contribution of General Motors’ Orion Assembly, Pontiac Metal Stamping, and Spring Hill Assembly Manufacturing Plants
General Motors’ decision to restart three idled manufacturing plants in the United States not only offset the company’s captive imports of small cars and cross-utility vehicles, but also added just over 3,000 direct jobs at the company in 2013. The UAW-GM agreement to restart production at these three plants in…
Just How High-Tech is the Automotive Industry?
This report, supported by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, measures the technological nature of today’s auto industry and compares it to other sectors of the economy often viewed as technologically advanced. Products manufactured by the automotive industry are among the most technologically sophisticated available to the general public. The vehicles…
Pavement Condition Monitoring with Connected Vehicle Data
Considering the possibility for safer and more efficient data collection, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) asked researchers at CAR to investigate the potential for connected vehicle data to contribute to pavement condition and performance assessment for the department’s transportation asset management (TAM) programs. CAR’s investigation involved the synthesis and…
CAR Research Memorandum: The Effect on the U.S. Economy of the Successful Restructuring of General Motors
CAR has released a new study estimating the effect on the U.S. economy of the successful restructuring of General Motors. This research memorandum estimates the value to the U.S. economy of the federal government’s intervention to prevent the failure of GM and Chrysler at the beginning of 2009. CAR previously…
International Survey of Best Practices in Connected and Automated Vehicle Technologies: 2013 Update
Michigan is a major U.S. center of connected vehicle technology development and testing, but other states within the country are involved in significant connected vehicle activities as are other countries throughout the world. This report investigates connected and automated vehicle activities underway outside Michigan, especially international examples, for the purpose…
Financing the Infrastructure to Support Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Countries around the world have implemented regulatory requirements to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. These regulations encourage automakers to sell alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), which use fuels such as natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, and biofuels. Automakers are already making investments in developing and manufacturing AFVs….