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.
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…
The U.S. Automotive Market and Industry in 2025
This study conducted by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) estimates the likely parameters of the U.S. motor vehicle market and industry in 2025. The first section discusses a general outlook for the U.S. motor vehicle market in the year 2025 based on long term social and economic factors. The…
Driving Workforce Change: Regional Impact and Implications of Auto Industry Transformation to a Green Economy
Before the Great Recession, the auto industry in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio was in the throes of restructuring—applying new technologies and production efficiencies, reducing costs, and modifying product lines to equal or beat global competitors —accompanied by an extended period of downsizing. Overlaying the recession on the restructuring compounded the…
Contribution of Toyota Motor North America to the Economies of Sixteen States and the United States in 2010
This study seeks to estimate the economic impact in 2010 of Toyota’s U.S. operations on the U.S. economy and 16 individual state economies. It finds that Toyota’s employment in the U.S. contributes to the support of more than 365,000 jobs nationally, and compensation of over $20 billion.
Deployment Rollout Estimate of Electric Vehicles 2011-2015
The purpose of this study is not to forecast sales of electric vehicles; rather, this study‘s aim is to estimate electric vehicle deployment by state. In order to create these estimates, CAR examined forecasts of total electric vehicle sales in the U.S. to generate a reasonable approximation of what electric…
CAR Research Memorandum: The Impact on the U.S. Economy of the Successful Automaker Bankruptcies
In late 2008 and throughout much of 2009, the global economy was in recession and the world’s automotive industry was in crisis. In the United States, automotive sales plummeted to historically low levels, both automotive commercial and consumer credit availability contracted sharply, and critically, two major automotive manufacturers—General Motors and…
IntelliDriveSM Initiatives in Michigan: Leading the States Forward
smThe United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has launched a national program to enhance vehicle transportation through the applications of communication technologies. This program, known as IntelliDriveSM (succeeding the USDOT’s VII, for Vehicle-Infrastructure Integration, program), targets safety, mobility, and environmental improvements through a combination of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. Already,…
Contribution of the Automotive Industry to the Economies of all Fifty State and the United States
The United States automotive industry is a critical component of economic growth with extensive interconnections across the industrial and cultural fabric of the U.S. This report outlines many known elements and highlights tremendously important associations beyond the market space of manufacturing. It touches on the following elements as they relate…