WASHINGTON, D.C. – Autos Drive America today hosted its third Congressional “Drive-In,” convening more than 70 employees from international automakers spanning 11 states on Capitol Hill under the theme Driving American Manufacturing. The event showcased the scale of member company investment in U.S. facilities, the hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs those operations support, and the deep community ties that make international automakers enduring partners in the American economy.
“For the third year running, international automakers produced more cars in America than the Detroit-3—and they did it by investing deeply in American workers and American communities,” said Jennifer Safavian, President and CEO of Autos Drive America. “The workers here on Capitol Hill today are proof of that investment. They represent a manufacturing base that is growing, not shrinking, and a commitment to the United States that has only deepened over time.”
At this year’s Drive-In, workers are sharing stories of what it means to drive American manufacturing forward:
Growing the American Economy: With more than $124 billion committed to U.S. facilities since the 1960s, international automakers have steadily expanded their American footprint through new assembly plants, advanced manufacturing technology, R&D labs, and workforce development programs. That capital investment signals long-term confidence in the American industrial base and a determination to grow it.
Powering American Jobs: International automakers directly employed 162,000 Americans in 2024, with more than 100,000 of those positions in manufacturing. Across direct employees, supplier networks, dealerships, and related industries, member companies support nearly 2.4 million American jobs in total. In 2024 alone, they paid $195 billion in wages and benefits, paychecks that support families and fuel local economies.
Strengthening American Communities: International automakers contributed $39.6 billion in state and local tax revenues in 2024, funding schools, roads, public safety, and civic services in the communities surrounding their facilities. These companies operate 31 manufacturing plants across 13 states, along with 500 additional facilities nationwide.
During the Drive-In, workers met with members of Congress and their staff across more than 50 offices on Capitol Hill, sharing firsthand accounts of what their companies’ U.S. operations mean to them and to their home communities. Conversations centered on the importance of a stable, pro-growth policy environment, including competitive tax provisions and trade policies that allow international automakers to continue expanding their American manufacturing footprint and the jobs that come with it.
“With $124 billion invested, $195 billion in wages paid, and $39.6 billion in state and local taxes contributed, these companies are driving the American economy,” added Safavian. “That is the story we are proud to bring to Capitol Hill today.”
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About Autos Drive America
Autos Drive America represents the U.S. operations of international motor vehicle manufacturers integral to America’s workforce, communities, and economy. As the voice of international automakers in the United States, Autos Drive America works closely with policymakers at all levels of government to advance policies that promote jobs, trade, and growth in the U.S. automotive industry. Learn more at www.autosdriveamerica.org.
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