Publications
The Center for Automotive Research is involved in the research of significant issues that relate to the future direction of the global automotive industry. As a nonprofit research organization, and in cooperation with study funders, most CAR research is released publicly through this website.
NAFTA Briefing: Review of current NAFTA proposals and potential impacts on the North American automotive industry
The U.S. automotive industry is heavily dependent on trade within the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) region. Current proposals to change how NAFTA works in the automotive and parts industries have the potential to alter these U.S. industries dramatically. The renegotiation of NAFTA is ongoing, and proposals are changing…
The Great Divide: What Automotive Consumers are Buying vs. Auto & Supplier Investments in Future Technologies, Products & Business Models
The U.S. automotive industry is in the midst of a critical period. U.S. light vehicle sales are plateauing at a very high level and include a rich mix of pickup trucks, SUVs, and CUVs that are producing record profits. Despite all the new truck, SUV, and CUV launches at last…
Technology Roadmaps: Intelligent Mobility Technology; Materials and Manufacturing Processes; and Light Duty Vehicle Propulsion
Major technological advances to both products and manufacturing processes are accelerating innovation throughout the automotive industry. To capture the scope of these technologies, CAR has developed a technology roadmap for the automotive sector to provide a broad understanding of technology trends throughout the industry from current year to beyond 2030….
New Materials/New Skills for Automotive Skilled Trades
CAR has completed research on the impact of new materials on skilled trades training and apprenticeship needs. Designing, analyzing, and building automotive tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures to form the wide array of new and advanced materials being deployed in current and future vehicles are changing skill needs not…
NAFTA Briefing: Trade benefits to the automotive industry and potential consequences of withdrawal from the agreement
This briefing outlines the benefits of NAFTA to the automotive industry, consumers, and the economy as a whole, as well as the potential consequences of unilateral withdraw by the U.S.
Contribution of Toyota Motor North America to the Economies of Nineteen States and the United States in 2015
This study estimates the employment and economic contribution of Toyota Motor North America’s operations and activities. The analysis includes detailed economic contribution results including employment, pay, and tax contributions to the overall U.S. economy, as well as the economies of 19 individual states.
The Economic Implications of Potential NHTSA and EPA Regulatory Revisions on U.S. Light Truck Sales and Manufacturing
This report estimates the economic and financial contributions of U.S. light truck sales and production, and discusses the regulatory challenges facing the 11 manufacturers who produce light trucks in the United States.
Building Capacity and Capability in the Bio-based Materials Manufacturing Sector
This research, part of the Make it in America Challenge, explores pathways toward building capacity and capability in automotive use of manufactured biomaterials.
The Potential Effects of the 2017-2025 EPA/NHTSA GHG/Fuel Economy Mandates on the U.S. Economy
This study constitutes an economic cost benefit analysis of the national standards for light duty vehicle fuel economy (FE) and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) set by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the years 2017-2025.
The Growing Role of Mexico in the North American Automotive Industry – Trends, Drivers and Forecasts
Mexican auto assembly capacity is projected to more than double between 2010 and 2020. This rapid growth is fuel by the investment infusion of $13.3 billion to move 3.3 million units of vehicle capacity from Japan, Germany, and South Korea to Mexico. This report highlights North American vehicle production trends,…