The North American Auto Industry Under Nafta

Analyzes the performance of the industry after the North American Free-Trade Agreement took effect, in each of the three countries and on the continent as a whole. Also looks at the impact of environmental regulations. The studies were funded by automobile companies and reviewed by personnel representing them. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The papers in this collection provide important new material on this industry in crisis which is critical to the economies of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The authors examine major changes in the industry, and how government policies in the three countries have promoted, protected and shaped it.

Today, the Multinational Enterprise (MNE) is seen as a leading agent in the process of globalization. As they adopt global strategies, MNE's are seen to be creating stronger, deeper and more lasting links amongst countries, thus shifting the balance of power inexorably in their favour, to the detriment of the state. This book interrogates this idea by undertaking a historical analysis of the global strategies of Ford.

This book explores key issues affecting the post-NAFTA development and trajectory of North America's most important economic sector, the automotive industry.

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.