A Message on the International Auto Industry

Dear TACH Viewer,

Lately, the news cycles have been packed with stories on the challenges faced by the domestic auto industry. We at AIADA have been monitoring the situation closely, and are working in Washington to protect all of our interests and our dealer members.

But with the focus on the domestic side of the industry, international nameplates have been all but forgotten. I’d like to take a moment to remind you of the positive impact international nameplates have on the American economy and American communities. These are vital facts for all of us.

 

·         International manufacturers have 73 U.S. manufacturing facilities and plants in the U.S.

·         The same manufacturers have pumped well over $40 billion into those plants and facilities.

·         U.S. employment of workers in international automotive assemblers has increased by 52 percent since 1995, now reaching 117,256 Americans with a payroll of more than $6.3 billion.

·         International automakers will add more than 38,600 workers by 2016.

·         Total international dealership employment is over 500,000.

·         Some analysts predict that by 2010, for the first time ever, more than half of the vehicles assembled in the United States will be built by Asian and European companies.

International vehicles are some of the safest and cleanest vehicles built and sold in the United States. And international nameplate dealers are some of the most active community leaders, and largest taxpayers, in this country. There’s not a lot of good news in today’s auto industry, but the quality and strength of our international nameplate brands is worth talking about.

 Russ Darrow, AIADA Chairman