The Detroit Region is the largest automotive cluster in North America

From smart manufacturing to autonomous and electric vehicles, the Motor City is defining the future of the mobility and automotive industry.

  • Michigan is the #1 U.S. state for both automotive R&D and production (2018; 2020).
  • The Detroit Region has one of the largest and most skilled manufacturing and engineering workforces in the U.S.
  • Michigan leads the nation in new mobility and automotive investments, accounting for 41% of all U.S. investments in the sector between 2009-2019.
Automotive assembly line worker mounting wheel on SUV
Ford building with international flags
Large, glass building

Don’t Take Our Word for It. Hear Why Other Companies Choose Detroit.

The Detroit Region: Driving the Future of Mobility

From electrification to autonomous vehicles, the Detroit Region is leading the mobility revolution. Our industry ambassadors speak to that leadership and why there’s no better place to do business in the U.S.

AKASOL: Creating the Electric Vehicle City

When AKASOL needed a talented workforce to develop and manufacture high-performance lithium-ion batteries for commercial vehicles, they selected the Detroit Region.

Our Location Connects You with Opportunity. Explore The Detroit Region for Yourself.

Mobility & Automotive Regional Facts

26

OEM Headquarters and Tech Centers

#1

State for Automotive R&D and Production

(2018; 2020)

#2

U.S. Metro for Concentration in Engineering Talent

in 2020

31

Testing Deployments and Proving Grounds

#1

for Operational and Planned U.S. DOT Connected Vehicle Deployments

U.S. Department of Transportation

1.7 Million

Vehicles Across 21 Models Assembled in the Detroit Region

in 2020

The Detroit Region Offers an Unparalleled Industry Ecosystem. Learn More about what Makes Our Home Unique.

a white and blue car with a large camera mounted on the roof

The Detroit Region is leading the U.S. in automotive innovation and production.

Our industry sector is the largest, most productive cluster of automotive-related companies in the United States. In 2020, Michigan accounted for 18% of all automotive production in the U.S. That includes $41 billion worth of U.S. investment from 2010-2020, as our companies innovate new mobility and automotive technology.

  • The Detroit Region is home to 26 OEM headquarters and tech centers.
  • 96 of the Top 100 automotive suppliers are located in the Detroit Region, including 60 headquarters.
  • Michigan is the #1 state for automotive R&D, accounting for nearly 70% of the U.S. total in 2018.
A White Car With Electronic Equipment Mounted On The Roof And Bumper

Our workforce is built for automotive manufacturing and engineering.

The Detroit Region is home to one of the largest and most skilled manufacturing and assembly workforces in the country. Companies benefit from the second largest concentration of engineering talent in the U.S. And our skilled talent is significantly more affordable than our coastal competitors—saving companies money while fueling their progress.

  • Detroit is the #1 U.S. Metro for assembly talent with 50,000 employed in 2021 and the nation’s lowest turnover rate in 2020.
  • Detroit is the #1 U.S. Metro for vehicle parts manufacturing talent with nearly 65,000 employed in 2021.
  • Detroit is the #2 U.S. Metro for largest concentration of engineering talent with more than 80,000 engineers in 2021.
Car Industry: Robots in a Car Factory

The Detroit Region is developing and deploying autonomous and electric vehicle technology.

As mobility technology advances, the Detroit Region is leading cutting-edge innovation. We are attracting the world’s top companies in electric vehicles, battery systems, and sensor technologies. We’re also home to the American Center for Mobility, the premier test bed for connected and automated vehicles.

  • Michigan received $10.6 billion in investment from electric vehicle and autonomous vehicle firms between 2010-2020.
  • 50% of our top OEMs and suppliers are working on autonomous, connected, and electric vehicles.
  • The Detroit Region has 6 motor vehicle assembly plants producing electric vehicles.

Mobility & Automotive Sources: Automotive News, Center for Automotive Research, Emsi Economic Modeling, MICHauto, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics

Contact Our Expert

Justin Robinson

Justin Robinson

EVP, Business Development