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.
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…
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.