Autos: The Domestic Industry

Here some interesting “Quick Facts” from a feature of that name provided by the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce (link). These data give us a somewhat novel view of the U.S. Auto Industry. That phrase all too frequently evokes thoughts of GM, Ford, and Chrysler…

… but in actuality nearly half (45.6%) of the domestic auto industry is run by foreign companies operating on U.S. soil. They employ American labor and purchase American supplies. The percentages are based on cars, SUVs, and light trucks produced in 2010.  No. This second half of the domestic industry is not centered on Detroit. This listing (hope I have them all) shows that most plants are in the South.

BMW, Spartanburg, SC

Honda, Anna, OH

Honda, East Liberty, OH

Honda, Greensburg, IN

Honda, Lincoln, AL

Honda, Marysville, OH

Hyundai, Montgomery, AK

Kia, West Point, GA

Mercedes-Benz, Vance, AL

Nissan, Canton, MS

Nissan, Decherd, TN

Nissan, Smyrna, TN

Subaru, Lafayette, IN

Toyota, Blue Springs, MS

Toyota, Buffalo, WV

Toyota, Georgetown, KY

Toyota, Huntsville, AL

Toyota, Princeton, IN

Toyota, San Antonio, TX

Volkswagen, New Stanton, PA

Volkswagen, Chattanooga, TN

Something to keep in mind when the press talks about the U.S. auto industry.

Steve Denning on Manufacturing

Steve Denning, an author and consultant, has a four-part article on Forbes detailing the problems of manufacturing. The hat tip here goes to Joyce Simkin, a former colleague and one of our circle. She circulated the following link. If the first article resonates, the other three add more dimensions.

Denning’s conclusion, namely that management is to blame and that changes in management philosophy are also the solution is right enough, so far as it goes. The problem goes right down to our culture and our values, however; that sort of thing is much harder to fix because it demands that we all change at the personal level. The articles are wonderful documentation of how and why, in detail, we’re slipping and sliding into decay. I read them as sermons directed at me.