The Automotive Industry Today
The motor vehicle industry is the largest manufacturing industry in the United States. No other sole industry is linked to so much of US. Manufacturing or directly generates so much retail business and employment.
The U.S. automotive industry continues to experience dynamic change?changes that go across national borders. In order for them to succeed, auto manufactures must manage large and complex supply chains, spanning many geographic regions, and seek opportunities in diverse national markets. National policies play an important role in shaping the environment for local manufacturing operations and resulting products, cost competition increasingly drive the industry toward global product offerings. Contributions to the performance of a nation's economy can be made in other areas aside from employment, income, or investment. In recent years other positive changes have introduced by international industries include new technologies and product innovation. Other differences in vehicle technology in the areas of fuel economy and vehicle emissions performance are also evolving.
Forces of Change in the U.S. Market
There are important changes under way all over the world especially in the U.S. Market, both in the type of vehicles preferred by consumers and in the system that delivers those vehicles to consumers. The variety of products supplied by the automotive industry has increased dramatically. Lifestyles have shifted toward the two-wage earning families, and as a result, demand for light utility vehicles has surged. Consumer reports show that their increasing interests are safety and performance. At the same time, average new-vehicle transaction have continue ...