Michigan: The Auto Capital of the World
In the globalized world, no matter the language, Michigan translates
to one word – automobiles. With a highly skilled workforce, cuttingedge research and development facilities and top-notch institutions
of higher education and the most dense automotive supply chain in
the world, Michigan is the global automotive headquarters.
Michigan has 61 of the
top 100 auto suppliers to
North America.
Highly Skilled, Competitive Workforce
Engineering Employment Numbers in Michigan by Occupation
Michigan’s highly skilled workforce is the reason
it is still the hub of the automotive industry – as
it has been since the dawn of the 20th century.
Michigan has 1,295 Motor
Vehicle and Motor
Vehicle Parts
Manufacturer
31,330
23,760
• Mechanical Engineers: Highest
employment number in the country.
establishments in
the state, employing
134,161 skilled workers.
4,690
1,180
Michigan employs 134,160
workers in Motor Vehicle,
Motor Vehicle Body and Motor
Vehicle Parts Manufacturing.
Michigan employs 60,960
industrial, mechanical,
electrical, and materials
engineers.
Michigan has 1,526 Tool and
Die establishments in the state.
Michigan employs 32,996
workers in Tool and Die.
500
• Industrial Engineers: Highest
employment number in the country.
• Electrical Engineers: Top 11 state
in employment.
• Materials Engineers: Top 5 state in
employment.
• Electro-Mechanical Technicians:
Top 10 state in employment.
Michigan Vehicle Production by the Numbers
# Produced
2,000,000
1,909,119
1,586,181
1,146,134
22.0 %
20.3 %
19.9 %
U.S. Production
13.0 %
U.S. Production
13.0 %
North American
Production
U.S.
Production
14.2 %
North
American
Production
North American
Production
Photo: TRW Automotive
2009
Year
2010
2011
Source: Automotive News
Global or North American Research and Development Headquarters
Additional Auto Manufacturers with Research and Development Facilities
Top-Notch Educational Facilities
Michigan has 16 public universities, 30 community colleges,
37 private colleges and numerous trade schools throughout
the state offering more than 600 auto-related programs.
• Three major universities – Michigan State University, University
of Michigan and Wayne State University – make up the
renowned University Research Corridor, collectively spending
$1.6 billion on research and development (2009), second highest
in the nation.
• The University of Michigan ranks #6 in the nation in engineering
research and development expenditures.
• U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Michigan’s
mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and metallurgy
programs #14, #18, and #26, respectively, in the world.
Photo: TRW Automotive
• U.S. News & World Report ranks Michigan State University’s
supply chain management program #1 in the nation.
• Wayne State University’s Electric-Drive Vehicle Engineering
programs include degrees in Electric Transportation Technology,
and Electric-Drive Vehicle Engineering and a graduate certificate
program in Electric-Drive Vehicle Engineering.
• The College for Creative Studies, Kettering University, Lawrence
Technical University and Michigan Technological University are nationally distinguished industry-focused post-secondary
educational institutions in Michigan.
For more information on MICHauto, visit michauto.detroitchamber.com
or contact Rob Luce at rluce@detroitchamber.com or 313.596.0383.