Top 15 motor vehicle manufacturing companies by volume 2006

INTERNATIONAL STATISTICS

Top 15 motor vehicle manufacturing companies by volume 2006
Total motor vehicle production (1000 units)
Group																				1000										2000										3000										4000										5000										6000										7000										8000										9000										10000
General Motors																																																																																																													8926
Toyota																																																																																																8036
Ford																																																																																			6268
Volkswagen Group																																																																												5685
Honda																																																								3670
PSA																																																						3357
Nissan																																																				3223
Chrysler																																													2545
Renault																																													2492
Hyundai																																												2463
Fiat																																												2318
Suzuki																																											2297
Daimler																																									2045
Mazda																																		1396
Kia																																		1382
Key																				Cars																									Light Commercial Vehicles																									Heavy Commercial Vehicles																									Heavy Buses
Total global production: 68340

Where Are Our Cars Produced? The Auto Industry and Its Changing Geograph

When the top executives from the “Big Three” auto manufacturers came to Washington to seek aid from the federal government they claimed that the domestic auto industry was vital to the overall U.S. economy. Certainly, it has been key to Michigan’s economy for many decades. Yet while the state continues as the center of the U.S. auto industry, its role has been diminished as foreign automakers tended to locate their production facilites in the southern states. As a result, the geography of the auto industry has changed rather dramatically in the last 30 years.

In addition to the auto manufacturers, the auto industry includes many motor vehicle parts suppliers. That part of the industry is large – parts suppliers contribute about 70% of the value added of a motor vehicle – but not as well understood as the assembly sector.

Audi R8 Scores Perfect 10

With 525 hp, Audi’s R8 V-10 can high-step its way to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph. It sounds pretty good, too.


http://wardsauto.com/testdrive/audi_r8_perfect_091015/

Automobile Industry

Automobile Industry, industry that produces automobiles and other gasoline-powered vehicles, such as buses, trucks, and motorcycles. The automobile industry is one of the most important industries in the world, affecting not only the economy but also the cultures of the world. It provides jobs for millions of people, generates billions of dollars in worldwide revenues, and provides the basis for a multitude of related service and support industries. Automobiles revolutionized transportation in the 20th century, changing forever the way people live, travel, and do business.

The automobile has enabled people to travel and transport goods farther and faster, and has opened wider market areas for business and commerce. The auto industry has also reduced the overall cost of transportation by using methods such as mass production (making several products at once, rather than one at a time), mass marketing (selling products nationally rather than locally), and globalization of production (assembling products with parts made worldwide). From 1886 to 1898, about 300 automobiles were built, but there was no real established industry. A century later, with automakers and auto buyers expanding globally, automaking became the world's largest manufacturing activity, with nearly 58 million new vehicles built each year worldwide.

As a result of easier and faster transportation, the United States and world economies have become dependent on the mobility that automobiles, trucks, and buses provide. This mobility allowed remote populations to interact with one another, which increased commerce. The transportation of goods to consumers and consumers to goods has become an industry in itself. The automobile has also brought related problems, such as air pollution, the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, congested traffic, and highway fatalities. Nevertheless, the automobile industry continues to be an important source of employment and transportation for millions of people worldwide.

Ford Recalls 4.5 Million Vehicles Due to Faulty Switch

Oct 13, 2009 4:32 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s StaffThe recall comes after an 18-month NHTSA investigation of the switches, which were produced by Texas Instruments and used to deactivate the cruise control once the accelerator is depressed.


http://wardsauto.com/home/ford_recalls_switches_091013/

What the future of the auto industry will look like

Surging demand for cars in rapidly growing nations will mean a robust car industry in 20 years. The US will have a piece of it – though smaller than today – and the models it turns out will be much greener as the iconic industry reinvents itself.

GM, Magna set to sign Opel deal; talks on jobs continue

FRANKFURT/MADRID (Reuters) -- General Motors Co. was close to signing a deal to sell a 55 percent stake in its European arm Opel to Canada's Magna International Inc. today as talks continued with unions over job cuts.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20091015/COPY01/310159961/1308