#730 – The numbers don’t lie: Michigan’s still the auto industry leader

A few years ago, some may have been tempted to count out Michigan as an automotive leader. In the 2019 Michigan is Automobility report, we see just why Michigan remains a key state for the automotive industry.

The numbers don’t lie: Michigan’s still the auto industry leader
Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, March 26, 2019

Michigan has long been considered the center of the U.S. auto industry, but how is it positioned for the future?

Did you know that the number of automotive manufacturing jobs in Michigan grew by 7 percent from 2014-18, and that $12 billion in business-funded automotive research and development happens here every year?

Automotive industry insiders with the Detroit Regional Chamber’s MICHauto group gathered recently for their annual meeting at the Detroit Athletic Club, where they heard an update on key industry topics and received a copy of the 2019 Michigan is Automobility report.

Here are some highlights from that report, which includes data from dozens of sources and provides the jobs and investment factoids above:

• From 2016-18, three metro Detroit counties had some of the highest growth in the nation in new manufacturing jobs, with Macomb at No. 1, Wayne at No. 20 and Oakland at No. 28.
• 17 percent of U.S. and 11 percent of North American vehicle production in 2018 occurred in Michigan, and 22 vehicle models were assembled here that year.
• Michigan is No. 1 for operational U.S. Department of Transportation-funded and connected vehicle deployments with 11 projects.
• Michigan is the top state for U.S. transportation equipment exports.
• Automakers and suppliers have invested $29 billion in Michigan since 2009, which is more than three times any other state.

To view the full report, visit here.