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.
Economic Contribution of the Ford Motor Company Michigan Assembly Plant to the Michigan Economy
Michigan has a rich legacy of automotive assets that are a bedrock of the state’s economy. This report examines the extensive supply chain that supports one assembly plant – Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant (MAP) in Wayne County, Michigan. This plant employs 5,000 people building the latest in fuel efficient vehicles,…
After the Bailout: Future Prospects for the U.S. Auto Industry
CAR’s new industry outlook provides a detailed forecast for the U.S. motor vehicle and parts manufacturing industry, including forecasts on U.S. automotive sales, production and employment. The report discusses the growth prospects of the U.S. industry including the industry’s potential for adding to the growth of the overall U.S. economy….
Economic Evaluation of Commercial Remote Sensors for Bridge Health Monitoring
The Michigan Tech Transportation Institute and Michigan Tech Research Institute, in cooperation with the Center for Automotive Research and the Michigan Department of Transportation, have investigated the use of remote sensing technologies to assess and monitor the condition of bridge infrastructure. This study was funded largely by the USDOT Research…
Connected Vehicle Technology Government Delphi Survey
The Michigan Department of Transportation asked the Center for Automotive Research to survey experts drawn from the public sector (including transportation and ITS contractors that work for public-sector agencies) to forecast the future of connected vehicle technology research and deployment.
Connected Vehicle Technology Industry Delphi Survey
The Michigan Department of Transportation asked the Center for Automotive Research to survey experts from the automotive industry to forecast the future of connected vehicle technology research and deployment. CAR researchers completed this survey effort and analyzed the results with an eye toward ascertaining the strategic directions of the connected…
Use of ITS Technology for Management of Freight and Transit Assets
Freight movement and public transit are essential components of Michigan’s transportation system. The development, adaptation, and deployment of intelligent transportation system (ITS) technologies for commercial vehicle platforms and public transit systems will have significant impacts and special implications to the statewide transportation planning process, economic well-being, and quality of life….
International Survey of Best Practices in Connected Vehicle Technologies: 2012 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 vehicle and connected vehicle-related activities underway outside Michigan, especially international examples of connected…
Self-driving cars: The next revolution
This whitepaper, written by both CAR and KPMG, reflects the results of interviews with more than 25 thought leaders, automotive and high-tech executives, and government officials, as well as analysis of industry trends, and provides insight on the convergence of sensor-based and communication-based vehicle technologies and its implications. The automobile…
The Effects a U.S. Free Trade Agreement with Japan would have on the U.S. Automotive Industry
Automotive trade has always been an important aspect of the United States and Japanese trading relationship. The value of Japanese manufactured vehicle exports and related parts to the United States peaked most recently at nearly $60 billion in 2006. Due to the unbalanced nature of automotive trade between the two…
Public Perceptions of Connected Vehicle Technology
Federal and state agencies, in conjunction with private industry, are working to develop and implement connected vehicle technologies. As envisioned, these technologies will enable vehicles to communicate with each other and the roadway for the purpose of achieving safety, mobility, and environmental improvements within the vehicle-based transportation system. While connected…