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.
An Assessment of Japanese Automakers’ Impact & Activity in the United States
A new study from the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) finds that Japanese automakers are a crucial part of not only the U.S. automotive industry but also the country as a whole. Their history in the United States consists of decades of investments in vehicle and major parts production operations…
COVID – 19 Stimulus Impacts
Unavailable for public download. For more information on how to put CAR to work for you on a proprietary research project, contact Shaun Whitehouse at [email protected].
Supplier Health Assessment
Unavailable for public download. For more information on how to put CAR to work for you on a proprietary research project, contact Shaun Whitehouse at [email protected].
Roof Lightweighting Study
Vehicle mass reduction or “lightweighting” has been deemed very important by automakers because of many benefits including performance and fuel economy. The arrival of automated, connected, electrified, and shared (ACES) technology will make lightweighting more important in the future because of added weight and range anxiety in battery electric vehicles…
Evaluating Innovative Dissimilar Material Joining Technologies
Due to the need to reduce overall vehicle mass, vehicle manufacturers are turning to a multi-material approach to vehicle construction more extensively than has been historically the case. However, because of the differences in the chemical and physical properties of these materials, joining is not as straightforward as, say, welding…
MDOT Processes in Connected and Automated Vehicle Environment
Connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies are increasingly integrated into Michigan’s transportation systems. Effective internal communications and successful dissemination of CAV information will help to create an overall CAV environment to advance MDOT’s goals. This study leverages on literature review and an MDOT staff survey for the purposes of evaluating…
The Policy & Regulatory Environment of the U.S. Automotive Market Access
Unavailable for public download. For more information on how to put CAR to work for you on a proprietary research project, contact Shaun Whitehouse at [email protected].
Contribution of General Motors to the Economies of Nine States and the United States in 2019
This study estimates the employment and economic contribution of General Motors’ United States operations to the United States economy and the economies of the nine states in which GM has significant manufacturing operations in 2019. CAR’s estimates demonstrate that General Motors—the largest automaker by U.S. market share and second-largest automaker…
Automotive Dashboard
Unavailable for public download. For more information on how to put CAR to work for you on a proprietary research project, contact Shaun Whitehouse at [email protected]. .
Automation Adoption & Implications for the Automotive Workforce
Many automakers and suppliers continue to face both challenges and opportunities as the automotive industry progresses through an era of rapid innovation as automation and artificial intelligence in the manufacturing setting continues to advance. Automotive companies widely report difficulty in finding enough qualified, skilled employees. Meanwhile, automation and artificial intelligence…