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.
Analysis of the Economic Contribution of Constructing the New International Trade Crossing: A New Bridge Linking Detroit and Windsor
Ontario. In this study, CAR estimates the employment and economic contributions that will accrue to the region as a result of adding a second bridge. The construction of this bridge will provide an estimated 12,000 jobs per year for each of the four years of the construction phase, and once…
Ethics of Government Use of Data Collected Via Intelligent Transportation Systems
The convergence of sensing, wireless telecommunications, and multi-media platforms has provided new opportunities for the development of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). While ITS applications can enhance mobility, increase safety, and improve the environmental performance of the transportation system, they also raise legal and ethical questions about privacy, anonymity, and other…
Repurposing Former Automotive Manufacturing Sites in the Midwest
The Midwest, as the traditional core of the U.S. automotive industry, has seen many auto plant closures over the years. The number of shuttered facilities in this region, specifically Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, vastly outpaces those in other parts of the country. Simultaneously, the economy has been disproportionately impacted by…
The Bio-Based Materials Automotive Value Chain
The study examines the bio-based automotive parts and components market and identifies several successful approaches to increase commercialization of bio-based materials in automotive components. This report includes an examination of the status of current bio-based materials technology and use within the automotive industry, emerging industry trends toward deployment of bio-based…
Assessment of Tax Revenue Generated by the Automotive Sector
This study describes the financial contribution of the motor vehicle industry in supporting federal and state governments through tax revenues, and also examines multiple instruments that generate tax revenues at various points in the automotive product lifecycle. Examples are the sales taxes collected when vehicles are purchased; income taxes paid…
Methodology for Creating a Matrix to Assess the Domestic Content of a Vehicle by Make and Model
Establishing the domestic content of a motor vehicle is not the straightforward question that it would seem to be. The complexity of the motor vehicle, as well as the complexity of the motor vehicle industry, have made the determination of the exact percentage of domestic content of a vehicle a…
2011 Detroit 3-UAW Labor Contract Negotiations
CAR Breakfast Briefing presentation on the Detroit 3–UAW Labor Contract Negotiations that took place at Schoolcraft Community College, Livonia, Michigan on November 29, 2011.
Economic Impact of Hyundai in the United States
This study estimates the economic impact in 2011 of Hyundai’s U.S. operations on the U.S. economy. In addition to the direct workers employed by Hyundai in all of its U.S. operations, many more people are needed to supply the goods and services that are directly or indirectly related to the…
Repurposing Former Auto Manufacturing Sites
As the automotive landscape in the United States has changed during its 100+ year presence in the country, many manufacturing facilities have closed. But in the recent economic downturn, the auto industry went through an accelerated restructuring, downsizing operations and closing more manufacturing facilities. The unprecedented numbers of shuttered facilities…
Green and Connected: A White Paper for the Michigan Department of Transportation
Two of the most important developments in automotive technology currently underway are the introduction of vehicle communications and the electrification of the powertrain. While these two technologies largely have evolved separately, their future evolution will not be in isolation. Furthermore, these two technologies reinforce one another, each making the other…