1 out of every 7 American jobs is in the auto manufacturing or a related industry - accounting for 14 million U.S. jobs. America's auto manufacturers directly employ more than 620,000 citizens. Auto manufacturing suppliers and other induced employment in related industries generated by our use of aluminum, copper, iron, lead plastic rubber, textiles and steel employs an additional 4.1 million Americans.
Automakers are the biggest customers of America's small businesses.
For example, auto manufacturers buy more steel than any other industry. More than 5 percent of America's private sector Gross Domestic Product is generated by motor vehicle production. Based on average hourly pay, auto employees earn more than employees in virtually every other industry in the United States. The auto industry operates more than 250 facilities in 35 states. In 1998, automotive exports represented 12 percent of total U.S. exports of non-agricultural products.