Automakers America's Largest Manufacturing Industry, New Study Reveals

    WASHINGTON, March 15 The automobile industry is America's
largest manufacturing industry, accounting for 6.6 million jobs nationwide, a
new University of Michigan study shows.
    The automobile industry directly employs 1.4 million Americans in all 50
states.  Another 2.1 million U.S. workers are employed indirectly by auto
industry suppliers and other industry-related companies.  Expenditures of auto
industry employees create an additional 3.1 million jobs nationwide, according
to the study.

    Key findings of the study include:

    *  Since 1987, the automobile industry has grown by more than 47 percent,
       helping to drive the U.S. economy to new heights.

    *  The automobile industry provides among the highest levels of wages and
       benefits in the private sector.

    *  The automobile industry employs Americans in every state.

    *  The automobile industry invests more in research and development than
       any other industry -- $18.4 billion in 1997.

    *  No other single industry is more linked to U.S. manufacturing or
       generates more retail business or employment.

    "Almost every car trip ends with either an economic transaction or some
benefit that enhances quality of life," said Alliance President & CEO
Josephine S. Cooper.  "Auto manufacturers, along with millions of suppliers
and dealers nationwide, drive the U.S. economy, and that engine has more
horsepower than many people realize."
    "This study shows that America's love affair with the automobile is still
going strong, and so is the automotive industry," said Jim Press, chairman of
the Alliance and COO of Toyota Motor Sales.  "No other industry makes as big
an impact or touches as many lives.  Americans drive the automotive industry
and the automotive industry helps drive America."
    The landmark study, "Contribution Of The Automotive Industry To The U.S.
Economy," was prepared by the University of Michigan and the Center for
Automotive Research.  In addition to the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers,
the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers also sponsored the
study.  For more information, including state-by-state economic contribution
and employment figures, log on to http://www.autoalliance.org .

    The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a 13-member coalition of car
and light truck manufacturers who employ more than 620,000 Americans at 250
facilities in 35 states.  Alliance members represent more than 90 percent of
U.S. vehicle sales.