This month, nearly 80 employees from international automakers walked the halls of Congress with a clear mission: to put faces and stories behind the numbers that define America’s modern auto industry. Representing 14 states, they came to talk about something much closer to home—jobs, investment, and the future of American manufacturing.
At Autos Drive America, our annual Drive-In is one of the most powerful ways we connect our members with the policymakers shaping the future of our industry. For lawmakers, it’s a unique opportunity to hear directly from the workers and constituents driving the 21st century auto economy. This year’s theme—Investing in US—captures both the economic impact and the human stories behind our members’ work in the United States. It’s not just a slogan, it’s a reflection of the $109 billion investment in U.S. facilities, more than 2.4 million jobs supported across the country, and a manufacturing footprint that continues to grow deeper and more dynamic each year.
In 2023, international automakers produced nearly half of all cars built in the U.S., outpacing the traditional Detroit-3 by nearly 500,000 vehicles. They exported more than 760,000 of those U.S.-built vehicles to over 130 countries. And they did it through a network of 500 facilities in 36 states, which represents all aspects of the industry from advanced R&D centers to sprawling assembly plants.
But this year’s conversations on Capitol Hill weren’t just about celebrating success—they were also about confronting risks to the industry.
The threat of the new tariffs looms large. Now imposed, they risk disrupting intricate supply chains, raising costs for consumers, and slowing the momentum of an industry that has long been a consistent bright spot in the U.S. economy. We’re not asking for special treatment—we’re asking for fairness, predictability, and the ability to compete globally while continuing to invest locally.
That’s why we’re urging Congress to support policies that fuel growth, not uncertainty. We’re advocating for tariff relief and targeted tax provisions that keep the U.S. an attractive place to build, hire, and innovate. And we’re highlighting the need for continued investment in workforce development—because building the future of mobility starts with empowering the people who make it possible.
The workers who came to Washington this month weren’t just here to talk about policy—they came to share their stories. And behind each of those stories is a powerful truth: international automakers have made America home. They’ve invested here, they’ve hired here, and they’re continuing to grow here. Our members aren’t temporary players in this economy—they’re long-term partners in ensuring America’s automotive industry success.
