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.
Contribution of New-Car Dealerships to the Economies of All 50 States and the United States
New-car dealerships are found in nearly every community across the country, and are well-known for supporting their local areas through funding for children’s sporting events, local charities, and even assisting with the sale of Girl Scout cookies. Though some may overlook the largeness and importance of this industry, auto dealerships…
A Primer to Fuel Economy and Emissions Standards
An important transition within the automotive industry is underway as fuel economy and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions regulations quickly accelerate through the year 2025. The industry will be required by regulation to increase fuel efficiency of the U.S. fleet from 27.5 miles per gallon (MPG) for passenger cars and 23.4…
Crucial Greenhouse Gas and Corporate Average Fuel Economy(CAFE) Regulation Differences in the United States
An important transition within the automotive industry is underway as fuel economy and CO2 emissions regulations quickly accelerate through the year 2025. The industry will be required by regulation to increase fuel efficiency of the US fleet from 27.5 miles per gallon (MPG) for passenger cars and 23.4 MPG for…
Assessing the Cost & Benefit of Effective Lightweighting Technologies
This report examines why lightweighting may be a viable solution and examines the cost of lightweight automotive closures. This research analyzes the direct manufacturing cost by modeling the manufacturing processes of the door-in-white subsystem, including the inner and outer panels, hinge reinforcements, and intrusion beams, concluding with the joining of…
Crowdsourcing Transportation Systems Data
“Crowdsourcing” has been a topic of increasing interest in the popular press, but the concept is often ill-defined. Crowdsourcing involves leveraging the combined intelligence, knowledge, or experience of a group of people to answer a question, solve a problem, or manage a process. Due to ever-increasing connectivity and emerging data…
Connected vs. Automated Vehicles as Generators of Useful Data
This report summarizes the types of data that may be available from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) connected vehicle effort, as well as data from advanced automated vehicle systems. The USDOT connected vehicle program emphasizes the creation of transportation-related data that will be available and usable by public…
Management Procedures for Data Collected via ITS
This report is an extension and update of a previous report prepared by CAR, PB, and MDOT in September 2013 entitled Management Procedures for Data Collected via Intelligent Transportation Systems. The 2013 report provided an overview and broad discussions of National ITS Architecture and Standards, statewide transportation data management policies,…
Contribution of General Motors’ Manufacturing Plants to the Economies of Ten States and the United States in 2013 and 2014
General Motors’ U.S. manufacturing plants employed an estimated 51,600 direct hourly and salaried employees in 2014, which directly contributed to the creation of another 431,300 private sector jobs, $36.2 billion in annual compensation, and over $5.3 billion in personal tax revenues. In this report, the authors examine the economic contribution…
Assessment of Tax Revenue Generated by the Automotive Sector for the Year 2013
This CAR study demonstrates that the U.S. automotive sector has a large impact throughout the nation and provides support to state and federal governments in the form of taxes and fees collected from sales, employees, drivers, and the auto companies themselves. In 2013, the manufacture, sale, and use of motor…
Contribution of the Automotive Industry to the Economies of All Fifty States and the United States
Six years after the worst recession since the 1930s, the American economy is demonstrating many signs of strengthening, and the auto industry is helping drive that recovery. Despite recent economic hardships, auto manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers employ over 1.5 million people and directly contribute to the creation of another 5.7…