International Automakers Meet With California Legislators

AIAM Member Companies Highlight Contributions to State Economy and Leadership in Advanced Technology Vehicles

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 17 -- The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM)* and several of its member company representatives met with lawmakers of the California Legislature and the Governor's Office today to highlight their contributions to the state's economy and demonstrate the leadership roles they are taking in the area of advanced technology vehicles.

In California, AIAM members directly employ 19,000 people and operate 67 separate facilities, including two manufacturing facilities, eight headquarters offices, eighteen R&D centers, and six financial service operations. AIAM members also account for 45 percent of the 1.2 million passenger cars and light trucks registered in the state last year.

"Our theme today is 'Leading the Way on Innovation: The Companies of AIAM'," said Paul D. Ryan, AIAM's director of government affairs. "Many do not realize the significant presence AIAM members have in California, so it is important that we make an effort to educate state officials about all the work being done in their backyard to bring advanced technology vehicles to the marketplace."

In a daylong effort, AIAM and its member companies visited state lawmakers to talk about their impact on California's economy, as well as types of advanced technologies currently in auto showrooms and under development. Several gasoline-electric hybrid, compressed natural gas, and fuel cell vehicles -- all manufactured by AIAM members -- were on display for lawmakers to learn about. California leads the country in hybrid vehicle purchases, accounting for 26.4 percent of the 199,148 hybrid sold in the United States in 2005 AIAM members account for over 75 percent of all hybrid sales nationwide.

  *  The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM)
     represents 14 international motor vehicle manufacturers who account for
     30 percent of all light duty motor vehicles produced in the United
     States.  Sixty percent of all vehicles sold in America by AIAM members
     are produced in the United States.  Nationwide, international
     automakers have invested nearly $36 billion in U.S.-based production
     facilities, have a combined domestic production capacity of 4.3 million
     vehicles, directly employ 103,000 Americans, and generate 1.7 million
     U.S. jobs in dealerships and supplier industries nationwide.  AIAM
     members include Aston Martin, Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia,
     Maserati, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Subaru, Suzuki and
     Toyota.  AIAM also represents original equipment suppliers and other
     automotive-related trade associations.