Motor Vehicle Parts Suppliers Are Nation’s Largest Employer of Manufacturing Jobs

A new economic impact study confirms that the motor vehicle parts manufacturers industry, made up of the original equipment, aftermarket, heavy duty and remanufacturing sectors, is the largest employer of manufacturing jobs in the United States.  The industry directly employs more than 734,000 American workers and generates nearly $355 billion in GDP contribution, or 2.3 percent of the total U.S. GDP.

The study, released by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) in collaboration with IHS, the leading global source of information and analytics, shows that the total employment impact for motor vehicle parts manufacturers in the U.S. was more than 3.62 million jobs in 2012.

“Motor vehicle parts manufacturers are the largest creators of manufacturing jobs in the nation.  With a presence in all 50 states, this industry is important to the health and success of American manufacturing, and to the future of this country,” said Bob McKenna, president and CEO of MEMA.

Top 15 States for U.S. Direct Employment
States Direct Jobs
Michigan102,624
Ohio89,423
Indiana79,651
Tennessee48,284
Kentucky41,097
Illinois37,087
Alabama30,566
Texas29,422
North Carolina25,843
South Carolina24,569
California22,736
Pennsylvania21,130
New York19,005
Missouri16,648
Georgia16,287

“The study conducted by IHS provides valuable information for policymakers on the industry’s overall impact on the U.S. economy,” said McKenna.  “We hope the data will be used as a resource for our nation’s leaders to continue working to create a sustainable and vibrant manufacturing environment.”

The economic impact study is available here.