Tennessee’s auto industry powered 12,000 indirect jobs worth $600 million through the GM Spring Hill multiplier effect, alongside major direct manufacturing payrolls. The automotive sector added $28.6 billion to Tennessee’s GDP and paid $1.2 billion in state and local taxes. Taken together, supplier revenue, exports, and new EV investment outline how operations in 2025 will be planned around interconnected factory output.
Key Takeaways
- The automotive industry contributed $28.6 billion to Tennessee's GDP in 2022
- In 2023, Nissan Smyrna Plant employed 13,900 associates directly in vehicle assembly and powertrain production
- TN auto exports to Mexico reached $4.2 billion in 2022
- Nissan announced $500 million investment in Smyrna EV battery assembly in 2021
- In 2022, Nissan Smyrna produced 571,000 vehicles, making it the largest Nissan plant outside Japan
Tennessee’s auto industry remains strong, with steady production and growing employment supporting the state’s economy.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Impact20 stats
01
The automotive industry contributed $28.6 billion to Tennessee's GDP in 2022
02
Auto manufacturing generated $10.2 billion in wages for TN workers in 2023
03
Automotive sector paid $1.2 billion in state/local taxes in TN 2022
04
Nissan operations contribute $5 billion annually to TN economy
05
VW Chattanooga adds $2 billion yearly economic output in TN
06
GM Spring Hill economic multiplier effect supports 12,000 indirect jobs worth $600 million
07
Ford BlueOval City projected $5.6 billion annual economic impact
08
Auto suppliers in TN generate $15 billion in sales revenue yearly
09
Bridgestone TN facilities contribute $1.8 billion to GDP
10
Yokohama Tire adds $800 million economic value in Memphis area
11
Denso TN economic contribution $1.1 billion including multipliers
12
Auto industry exports from TN totaled $12.4 billion in 2022
13
25% of TN manufacturing GDP from autos, equating to $7.5 billion direct
14
Nissan supplier network spends $3 billion locally in TN yearly
15
VW local purchasing $1.5 billion from 300 TN suppliers annually
16
GM Spring Hill procurement $900 million from TN businesses 2023
17
Ford Stanton will source $2 billion/year from TN suppliers
18
AutoZone aftermarket sales $16.5 billion national with TN HQ impact $2B
19
Rivian TN suppliers contribute $400 million in EV components value
20
Magna TN sales to OEMs $4.2 billion annually
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
In Tennessee, the economic impact of autos is substantial, with the industry contributing $28.6 billion to GDP in 2022 and adding another $1.2 billion in state and local taxes, while major operations such as Nissan’s $5 billion annual contribution and VW Chattanooga’s $2 billion yearly output underscore how manufacturing drives broad regional economic growth.
02 · Category
Employment20 stats
01
In 2023, Nissan Smyrna Plant employed 13,900 associates directly in vehicle assembly and powertrain production
02
Volkswagen Chattanooga Plant had 4,200 direct employees in 2022, focusing on SUV and Passat production
03
General Motors Spring Hill Manufacturing employed 4,000 workers in 2023 for Cadillac Lyriq EV production
04
Ford BlueOval City in Stanton is projected to employ 6,000 workers upon full operation by 2026 for F-150 Lightning EVs
05
Bridgestone Americas Technical Center in Akron employs 1,200 in TN-related tire R&D supporting auto industry
06
Over 135,000 Tennesseans were employed in automotive manufacturing and supply chain in 2022
07
Nissan Decherd Powertrain Plant employs 1,800 workers producing transmissions for North America
08
Magna International's TN facilities employ 2,500 in seating and interiors for OEMs like Nissan and VW
09
Denso Manufacturing Tennessee employs 4,100 in climate control and electronics for autos
10
Electrolux in Anderson County supports auto with 1,200 jobs in HVAC components
11
Total automotive sector jobs in TN reached 348,000 including indirect in 2023
12
Claiborne Progressive Stamping employs 450 in metal stamping for auto body parts
13
Yokohama Tire Manufacturing employs 700 in Memphis for auto tires
14
AutoZone headquarters in Memphis employs 15,000 supporting aftermarket auto parts
15
Steelcase TN operations employ 300 in seating for commercial vehicles
16
Rivian suppliers in TN employ 1,500 collectively in battery components
17
Lear Corporation Franklin plant employs 1,200 in seating systems for VW and Nissan
18
Cummins in Cookeville employs 800 in engine components for heavy-duty autos
19
Faurecia in Shelbyville employs 900 in interiors for GM Spring Hill
20
Toyoda Gosei North Carolina but TN branch employs 600 in plastic parts
Interpretation
Employment Interpretation
Employment in Tennessee’s auto sector is substantial and growing, with major plants supporting thousands of direct jobs such as 13,900 at Nissan Smyrna in 2023 and a planned ramp to about 6,000 workers at Ford’s BlueOval City by 2026, while the wider ecosystem employed over 135,000 Tennesseans in 2022 across automotive manufacturing and supply chain.
03 · Category
Exports10 stats
01
TN auto exports to Mexico reached $4.2 billion in 2022
02
Nissan vehicles from Smyrna exported 40% of production, ~228,000 units to 20 countries 2023
03
VW Chattanooga exports 60% of output, primarily to US/Canada but global 2023
04
GM Spring Hill Cadillac exports 25% to China/Europe 2022
05
Ford Stanton planned exports 30% of EVs to Europe by 2026
06
TN auto parts exports totaled $8.1 billion in 2023
07
Bridgestone tires from TN exported to 50 countries, $1.2B value
08
Yokohama Memphis exports 35% production to Latin America
09
Denso components exported $700 million from TN 2022
10
Magna seating systems exported 45% from TN facilities
Interpretation
Exports Interpretation
Tennessee’s export strength in autos and parts is growing and diversifying, with auto parts exports hitting $8.1 billion in 2023 and major plants pushing global volume such as Nissan’s 228,000 vehicles shipped from Smyrna to 20 countries and GM Spring Hill sending 25 percent of Cadillac exports to China and Europe.
More related reading
04 · Category
Investments18 stats
01
Nissan announced $500 million investment in Smyrna EV battery assembly in 2021
02
VW invested $800 million in Chattanooga battery plant opening 2024
03
GM $2 billion retooling Spring Hill for EV production 2023
04
Ford $5.6 billion BlueOval City mega-campus in Stanton announced 2021
05
Nissan $200 million Decherd transmission expansion 2022
06
Bridgestone $18 million tire tech upgrade in TN 2023
07
Yokohama $100 million Memphis plant expansion for EV tires
08
Denso $68 million new facility in Maryville TN 2022
09
Magna $160 million seating plant expansion in TN 2021
10
Lear $50 million investment in Franklin wiring tech 2023
11
Cummins $29 million Cookeville engine R&D center 2022
12
Faurecia $40 million Shelbyville interiors upgrade for EVs
13
State of TN invested $100 million incentives for Ford BlueOval 2022
14
Rivian $500 million supplier ecosystem grants in West TN 2023
15
Electrolux $250 million expansion for auto HVAC 2021
16
Claiborne $20 million stamping line for EV bodies 2023
17
Steelcase $15 million TN commercial vehicle seating plant
18
Toyoda Gosei $30 million plastic injection for autos 2022
Interpretation
Investments Interpretation
Tennessee’s auto investments are accelerating toward electrification and major manufacturing expansions, with commitments like GM’s $2 billion Spring Hill EV retooling in 2023 and Ford’s $5.6 billion BlueOval City mega-campus announced in 2021 alongside battery and component spending such as Nissan’s $500 million Smyrna EV assembly in 2021 and VW’s $800 million Chattanooga battery plant opening in 2024.
05 · Category
Production21 stats
01
In 2022, Nissan Smyrna produced 571,000 vehicles, making it the largest Nissan plant outside Japan
02
VW Chattanooga assembled 144,000 vehicles in 2023, primarily Atlas SUVs
03
GM Spring Hill produced 150,000 Cadillac Lyriq EVs in first full year 2023
04
Nissan Smyrna's engine plant produced 1.2 million engines in 2022
05
VW Chattanooga battery plant to produce 240,000 EV batteries annually by 2025
06
Ford BlueOval City plans 500,000 EVs per year production capacity
07
Nissan Decherd produced 2.1 million transmissions in 2023
08
Bridgestone Memphis plant produces 20,000 tires daily for OEM autos
09
Yokohama Memphis tire plant output 6.5 million tires annually in 2022
10
GM Spring Hill Cadillac XT5 production reached 120,000 units in 2022
11
VW Chattanooga produced 50,000 ID.4 EVs in 2023 ramp-up
12
Nissan Smyrna Rogue crossover output 350,000 in 2023 model year
13
Nissan Altima sedans from Smyrna totaled 220,000 in 2022
14
Leaf EVs from Smyrna plant: 100,000 cumulative by 2023
15
Pathfinder SUVs from Smyrna: 150,000 annually average 2020-2023
16
VW Atlas output Chattanooga 80,000 in 2023
17
GM Spring Hill Escalade production shifted but 40,000 pre-EV
18
Ford Stanton E-transit vans pilot 20,000/year initial
19
Denso TN HVAC units: 5 million annually for Nissan/VW
20
Magna TN seats: 2 million units/year for multiple OEMs
21
Lear TN wiring harnesses: 10 million assemblies/year
Interpretation
Production Interpretation
Across Tennessee's production footprint, EV scaling and expansion are already evident with VW Chattanooga moving 144,000 vehicles in 2023 and ramping battery capacity to 240,000 EV batteries annually by 2025, while Ford BlueOval City targets 500,000 EVs per year, alongside major engine and model output that show the state is building production depth as well as electrification.
report visual · Comparison
Tennessee automotive economy: major GDP, wages, and taxes
Auto manufacturing drives billions in economic output—supporting Tennessee’s GDP while paying wages and contributing significant state/local taxes.
The automotive industry contributed $28.6 billion to Tennessee's GDP in 2022$28.6 billion
Auto manufacturing generated $10.2 billion in wages for TN workers in 2023
$10.2 billion
Automotive sector paid $1.2 billion in state/local taxes in TN 2022
$1.2 billion
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Tennessee Auto Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/tennessee-auto-industry-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Tennessee Auto Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/tennessee-auto-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Tennessee Auto Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/tennessee-auto-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
40 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level