Industry And Trade Summary Motor Vehicles

This report, by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) addresses trade and industry conditions for motor vehicles for the period 1997-2001. These include passenger vehicles, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and buses; bodies and chassis and the assembly process are also discussed. Chapters: introduction; U.S. motor vehicle industry profile (esp. manufacturing trends, productivity, R&D, labor intensity, and vertical integration); U.S. market: consumer characteristics and factors affecting demand, the effects of Sept. 11 on the U.S. automotive industry, consumption, and production; U.S. trade; foreign industry profile: European Union (EU), Japan, Korea, Canada, and Mexico. Tariff and trade agreement terms. Extensive charts and tables.

Over one million Americans are employed in manufacturing motor vehicles, equipment and parts. But the industry has changed dramatically since the U.S. "Big Three" motor vehicle corporations (General Motors, Ford and Chrysler) produced the overwhelming majority of cars and light trucks sold in the United States, and directly employed many people themselves. By 2003, most passenger cars sold in the U.S. market were either imported or manufactured by foreign-based producers at new North American plants (so-called "transplant" facilities). The Big Three now dominate only in light trucks, and are also now being challenged there by the foreign brands. The Big Three have shed about 600,000 U.S. jobs since 1980, while about one-quarter of Americans employed in automotive manufacturing (nearly 300,000) work for the foreign-owned companies. It is clear that the U.S. automotive industry has undergone many drastic changes that have had a net adverse effect on American interests. This book examines the causes of these changes. Congressional acts, increasingly stringent emission laws, the effects of NAFTA, labour unions and globalisation are all within the scope of this book.