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.
Key Factors that Enable Product Development: An Investigation of Creating “Cool” Products
The Center for Automotive Research has undertaken the CAR-Microsoft Program on Automotive Industry Practices. The program is a four-year research effort consisting of indepth, focused interviews with industry participants on subjects of importance to all industry stakeholders. The intent of this paper is to investigate how different companies have adapted…
The World Class Tool Shops and Its Prospects in Michigan
Automotive companies are trying to buy their tools, dies, and molds (TDM) at the lowest possible price. With the recent emergence of tooling capacity in “low-cost countries” (LCCs), that low price is getting even lower. Domestic TDM sources are being pressed to meet the “world price” for tools or risk…
Low-Volume Vehicle Production
Many auto companies are targeting low-volume vehicles as a means to increase market share and, in some cases, to establish a “halo effect” with niche products. Engineering and production resource availability, and manufacturing cost are two critical constraints present in low-volume products. Sponsored by: American Plastics Council; ASC, Inc.; Dana…
Distributed Adaptive Optimization in Virtual Body Assembly
The Digital Body Development System (DBDS) is 4 year project to shorten the time to launch vehicles by improving the launch problem solving process.
Virtual Functional Build for Body Assembly
Functional build (FB) is a critical process in launching a vehicle, whereby individual prototype parts are stamped and then sent to a central location to be assembled into a prototype vehicle body. Proceeding of IMECE2005, 2005 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition.
Changing Business Dynamics in the Automotive Supplier Sector: The Strategic Use of Mergers & Acquisitions, Outsourcing, Supply Chain Consolidation, and IT by Automotive Suppliers
Automotive suppliers find themselves facing a business environment that continues to grow more competitive. Rising materials prices coupled with demands for price cuts, as well as the growing cost of health care and increased competition have created a business environment in which suppliers struggle to succeed. Prepared for gedas, USA,…
The Warranty Process Flow Within the Automotive Industry: An Investigation of Automotive Warranty Processes and Issues
This report will focus on how the industry is addressing warranty issues that appear to be systemic in nature, and would thus present significant potential cost exposure. Prepared for the Program on Automotive Practices Sponsored by Microsoft Corporation.
Contribution of Toyota to the Economies of Fourteen States and the United States in 2003
The motor vehicle industry is the largest manufacturing industry in the United States. No other single industry is linked so much to the U.S. manufacturing sector or directly generates so much retail business and employment. This study describes the economic contribution of an important company included in the U.S. motor…
The California Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Its Implications to the Automotive Industry
This file contains an executive summary of the study. To obtain the complete study, please contact Brett Smith at (734) 929-0491. Sponsored by the Center for Transportation Research at Argonne National Laboratory.
The Contribution of the International Auto Sector to the U.S. Economy: An Update
This study is an update of a previous report on the economic contribution of the international automotive industry completed in 1998 for the AIAM. A study prepared for the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, Inc.