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.
Accelerating the Growth of the U.S. Automotive Manufacturing Industry at Home, Rather than Abroad
This CAR research initiative examines the critical success factors necessary for continued global automotive investment growth within the southern U.S. automotive manufacturing region. The states funding the effort include Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee, which are referred to in this study as the Southern Automotive Research Alliance…
International Survey of Best Practices in Connected and Automated Vehicle Technologies – 2014 Update
Early research and deployment in connected and automated vehicle (CAV) systems can provide a variety of benefits. Such efforts are taking place throughout the world (especially in the United States, Europe, and Asia). This study highlights major CAV deployment efforts throughout the world and evaluates important factors for successful deployment….
ITS Data Ethics in the Public Sector
This report provides ethical decision-support for transportation professionals involved with Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) data. Ethical concerns regarding ITS usually focus on travelers’ right to privacy,and especially location privacy. This report establishes core principles of ethical behavior for government use of ITS data using the American lineage of political and…
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…