Beneath the surface of every road trip and daily commute lies an industrial titan, and the numbers from 2022 reveal a U.S. automotive sector that is a massive, evolving engine of production, employment, and technological transformation.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, U.S. light vehicle production reached 10.06 million units, a 3.4% increase from 2021.
- U.S. automakers produced 1.77 million vehicles in Q1 2023, down 5.5% from Q1 2022.
- Ford Motor Company's U.S. production was 1.82 million units in 2022.
- U.S. light vehicle sales reached 13.9 million units in 2022.
- Ford F-Series sold 650,528 units in the U.S. in 2022.
- Chevrolet Silverado sales were 513,367 units in 2022.
- Automotive manufacturing employed 950,000 workers in 2022.
- Total automotive industry jobs, including suppliers, reached 4.2 million in 2022.
- Michigan had 295,000 auto-related jobs in 2022.
- Automotive contributed $580 billion to U.S. GDP in 2022.
- Auto exports from U.S. totaled $60.4 billion in 2022.
- U.S. auto imports were $241 billion in 2022.
- U.S. EV sales share reached 6.2% of total in 2022.
- Average fuel economy of new vehicles: 26.4 mpg in 2022.
- CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles: 4.6 billion metric tons globally, U.S. 1.2B in 2022.
Despite strong production, the American auto industry is shifting focus toward electric vehicles and SUVs.
Employment and Labor
- Automotive manufacturing employed 950,000 workers in 2022.
- Total automotive industry jobs, including suppliers, reached 4.2 million in 2022.
- Michigan had 295,000 auto-related jobs in 2022.
- Average hourly wage in motor vehicle manufacturing was $29.47 in 2023.
- UAW represented 431,000 workers in U.S. auto industry in 2023.
- Women comprised 25% of automotive manufacturing workforce in 2022.
- Supplier jobs totaled 3.25 million in 2022.
- Dealership employment was 1.2 million in 2022.
- Unemployment rate in auto manufacturing was 3.8% in 2023.
- Entry-level production jobs averaged $50,000 annual salary in 2023.
- 150,000 new auto jobs added since 2021 bottom.
- Skilled trades like welders: 120,000 employed in auto sector 2022.
- Turnover rate in auto manufacturing was 4.2% in 2022.
- Apprenticeships in auto manufacturing: 25,000 active in 2023.
- R&D engineers in auto: 180,000 employed in 2022.
- Logistics and warehousing jobs: 450,000 in auto supply chain 2022.
- Motor vehicles and parts employment: 992,000 in Feb 2023.
- Auto mechanics employed: 725,000 in 2022.
- Alabama auto jobs: 40,000 in 2022.
- Wage growth in auto sector: 6.5% YoY in 2022.
- Diversity: 30% minorities in production roles 2022.
- Tier 2 supplier jobs: 900,000 in 2022.
- Service technicians jobs growth: 2% projected to 2032.
- Union membership in auto: 14.5% of workforce 2022.
- Training programs graduates: 50,000 annually from community colleges.
- Remote work in auto admin: 20% of roles 2023.
- EV technician certifications: 10,000 issued 2022.
- Injury rate in manufacturing: 2.7 per 100 workers 2022.
- Kentucky auto employment: 95,000 in 2022.
- Software engineers in auto: 50,000 added 2021-2022.
- Temps/contractors: 15% of auto workforce 2022.
Employment and Labor Interpretation
The automotive industry is a massive, interconnected engine of 4.2 million jobs—from factory floors where union workers earn solid wages to sprawling supply chains and dealerships—that is simultaneously revving up with new electric and software jobs while still wrestling with its legacy of low diversity and high injury rates.
Environmental and Technological Advancements
- U.S. EV sales share reached 6.2% of total in 2022.
- Average fuel economy of new vehicles: 26.4 mpg in 2022.
- CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles: 4.6 billion metric tons globally, U.S. 1.2B in 2022.
- U.S. had 3.1 million EVs on road by end 2022.
- Public EV chargers: 43,800 Level 2 and DC fast in 2022.
- Autonomous vehicle testing miles: 50 million by major firms in 2022.
- ADAS-equipped new vehicles: 85% in 2022.
- U.S. invests $7.5B in EV charging infrastructure via BIL.
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles: 17,000 on U.S. roads 2023.
- Fleet average GHG emissions down 30% since 2010.
- Software-defined vehicles projected 50% by 2025, 20% in 2022.
- V2G technology pilots in 10 states covering 5,000 vehicles 2023.
- Recycled materials in new vehicles: 25% average in 2022.
- NOx emissions reduced 99% since 1970 standards.
- 5G-connected vehicles: 15 million in U.S. fleet 2022.
- BEV market share: 5.8% in 2022 U.S. sales.
- New vehicle fleet CO2: 358 g/mi average 2022.
- U.S. vehicle miles traveled: 3.2 trillion in 2022.
- Supercharger stations: 2,000 in U.S. end 2022.
- Level 3 autonomy miles logged: 20 million by Waymo 2022.
- Lane-keeping assist adoption: 78% new cars 2022.
- NEVI funding allocated: $5B for 50,000 chargers.
- Biofuel blend use in flex-fuel: 10% ethanol avg.
- Cybertruck prototypes: software updates OTA 100%.
- Tire efficiency standards saved 1B gallons fuel since 2007.
- LiDAR-equipped vehicles: 5% new sales 2022.
Environmental and Technological Advancements Interpretation
The electric shift is accelerating on paper, but with only one charger for every seventy electric cars and tailpipe emissions still measured in billions of tons, the road to a truly clean, autonomous future feels paved with both exciting stats and stubborn realities.
Financial and Economic Impact
- Automotive contributed $580 billion to U.S. GDP in 2022.
- Auto exports from U.S. totaled $60.4 billion in 2022.
- U.S. auto imports were $241 billion in 2022.
- Motor vehicle trade deficit was $183 billion in 2022.
- Ford revenue from U.S. operations: $78.8 billion in 2022.
- GM revenue: $156.7 billion globally, with U.S. 60% share in 2022.
- Stellantis North America revenue: $92 billion in 2022.
- Auto parts exports: $47.2 billion in 2022.
- R&D spending by U.S. automakers: $30 billion in 2022.
- Dealer profits reached $1,800 per new vehicle in 2022.
- Auto loan debt totaled $1.5 trillion in 2023.
- Average new vehicle incentive spending: $5,872 in 2022.
- Taxes from auto industry: $100 billion annually.
- Investment in U.S. plants: $55 billion since 2021.
- EV battery investments: $70 billion announced by 2023.
- Auto industry GDP contribution: 3% of U.S. total in 2022.
- GM U.S. profit: $10.4 billion in 2022.
- Ford EBIT: $9.2 billion automotive in 2022.
- Aftermarket parts market: $400 billion in 2022.
- Vehicle financing revenue: $50 billion for banks 2022.
- R&D tax credits claimed: $5 billion by auto firms 2022.
- Insurance premiums from autos: $300 billion annually.
- Supply chain costs rose 15% for OEMs in 2022.
- Chip shortage cost industry $210 billion in 2021-2022.
- Dealer inventory value: $150 billion end 2022.
- EV incentives federal: $7,500 per vehicle IRA 2023.
- State auto sales taxes: $45 billion collected 2022.
- Capital expenditures by OEMs: $40 billion in U.S. 2022.
- Auto retail sales revenue: $1.1 trillion 2022.
- EV stock market cap: $500 billion for U.S. firms 2023.
Financial and Economic Impact Interpretation
The American auto industry is a $1.5-trillion-deep economic engine that, for all its domestic power and R&D brilliance, still can't drive past the fact we import twice as many cars as we export, a gap wide enough to park every EV start-up inside.
Production and Manufacturing
- In 2022, U.S. light vehicle production reached 10.06 million units, a 3.4% increase from 2021.
- U.S. automakers produced 1.77 million vehicles in Q1 2023, down 5.5% from Q1 2022.
- Ford Motor Company's U.S. production was 1.82 million units in 2022.
- General Motors produced 2.21 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2022.
- Stellantis U.S. production totaled 1.49 million units in 2022.
- U.S. engine production was 11.2 million units in 2022.
- Michigan accounted for 20.6% of U.S. automotive production in 2022.
- U.S. light truck production hit 6.49 million units in 2022.
- Passenger car production in the U.S. was 2.77 million units in 2022.
- U.S. stamping and forging plants produced parts worth $45.6 billion in 2022.
- Foundry production for automotive castings reached 4.2 million tons in 2022.
- U.S. motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing output index was 98.5 in 2023.
- Parts manufacturing employment supported 4.1 million jobs indirectly in 2022.
- U.S. vehicle assembly plants numbered 54 in operation as of 2023.
- Aluminum die-casting for autos produced 1.8 million tons in 2022.
- U.S. plastic parts production for vehicles was $28.7 billion in 2022.
- Glass production for automotive use totaled 450 million square feet in 2022.
- U.S. tire production for passenger cars was 278 million units in 2022.
- Battery production capacity for EVs reached 100 GWh in U.S. by 2023.
- Steel used in U.S. auto production was 80 million tons in 2022.
- U.S. light vehicle production reached 10.06 million units in 2022, up 3.4% YoY.
- GM U.S. production: 2.21 million vehicles in 2022.
- Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant produced 400,000 F-150s in 2022.
- Toyota's Georgetown plant output: 550,000 vehicles in 2022.
- Honda's Ohio plants produced 1.2 million vehicles combined in 2022.
- U.S. powertrain production: 9.8 million units in 2022.
- Ohio's auto production share: 12% of national total in 2022.
- Heavy-duty truck production: 285,000 units in 2022.
- EV production in U.S.: 510,000 units in 2022.
- Supplier Tier 1 sales to OEMs: $250 billion in 2022.
- Rivian produced 24,000 vehicles in Normal, IL plant 2022.
- U.S. semiconductor fab investments for autos: $20B by 2023.
- Capacity utilization in auto manufacturing: 78.2% in 2023.
- 3D printing parts production scaled to 1 million units annually 2022.
- Jeep Wrangler production: 200,000 units at Toledo 2022.
- Chevrolet Silverado production: 450,000 at Fort Wayne 2022.
- Tesla Model 3/Y production at Fremont: 560,000 in 2022.
- Ram 1500 production: 300,000 at Sterling Heights 2022.
- Nissan Rogue output at Smyrna: 350,000 units 2022.
Production and Manufacturing Interpretation
While the traditional engine of the American auto industry still roars at a formidable 10 million units and 4 million jobs, the surge in EV investment and shifting production figures reveal an industry meticulously retooling its very soul for an electric future.
Sales and Market Share
- U.S. light vehicle sales reached 13.9 million units in 2022.
- Ford F-Series sold 650,528 units in the U.S. in 2022.
- Chevrolet Silverado sales were 513,367 units in 2022.
- Ram Pickup sold 468,344 units in 2022.
- Tesla Model Y sales hit 231,400 units in 2022.
- Toyota RAV4 sold 399,941 units in 2022.
- Honda CR-V sales were 361,457 units in 2022.
- Electric vehicle sales in U.S. reached 918,344 units in 2022, up 55%.
- Pickup trucks accounted for 19.8% of U.S. light vehicle sales in 2022.
- SUVs/Crossovers made up 53.4% of 2022 U.S. sales.
- Average transaction price for new vehicles was $48,759 in 2022.
- Used vehicle sales totaled 35.7 million units in 2022.
- Market share of domestic brands was 49.1% in 2022.
- Imports held 51.7% U.S. light vehicle market share in 2022.
- Luxury vehicle sales grew 4.2% to 2.8 million units in 2022.
- Fleet sales accounted for 23% of total U.S. sales in 2022.
- Retail sales were 10.7 million units in 2022.
- Q4 2022 sales hit 3.88 million units.
- Hybrid sales reached 1.1 million units in 2022, up 37%.
- U.S. auto sales: 13.9 million light vehicles in 2022, down 8% YoY.
- GMC Sierra sales: 243,175 units in 2022.
- Toyota Camry: 295,201 units sold 2022.
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: 243,843 units in 2022.
- Nissan Rogue: 277,765 units 2022.
- Hyundai Tucson: 197,675 units sold 2022.
- Subaru Outback: 167,000 units 2022.
- Plug-in hybrid sales: 109,000 units in 2022.
- Midsize pickup sales: 1.2 million units share in 2022.
- Compact cars sales decline to 8.5% market share 2022.
- Tesla overall U.S. sales: 403,000 units 2022.
- Average age of U.S. vehicles on road: 12.5 years in 2022.
- Online vehicle sales: 15% of transactions in 2022.
- California EV sales: 25% of national total in 2022.
- Full-size SUV sales: 2.1 million units 2022.
- Lease penetration: 28% of new vehicle sales 2022.
- Cash purchases: 12% of new vehicles in 2022.
Sales and Market Share Interpretation
Despite a slight overall market dip, America’s 2022 auto story is one of expensive trucks and SUVs dominating the driveways while electric vehicles quietly—and rapidly—gained ground in the passing lane.
Sources & References
- Reference 1AUTONEWSautonews.comVisit source
- Reference 2MARKLINESmarklines.comVisit source
- Reference 3FORDford.comVisit source
- Reference 4GMgm.comVisit source
- Reference 5STELLANTISNORTHAMERICAstellantisnorthamerica.comVisit source
- Reference 6MICHIGANBUSINESSmichiganbusiness.orgVisit source
- Reference 7BEAbea.govVisit source
- Reference 8FEDERALRESERVEfederalreserve.govVisit source
- Reference 9CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 10AFSINCafsinc.orgVisit source
- Reference 11FREDfred.stlouisfed.orgVisit source
- Reference 12CENTERFORAUTOMOTIVE RESEARCHcenterforautomotive research.orgVisit source
- Reference 13EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 14ALUMINUMaluminum.orgVisit source
- Reference 15PLASTICSINDUSTRYplasticsindustry.orgVisit source
- Reference 16GLASSglass.orgVisit source
- Reference 17USTIRESustires.orgVisit source
- Reference 18ENERGYenergy.govVisit source
- Reference 19STEELsteel.orgVisit source
- Reference 20GOODCARBADCARgoodcarbadcar.netVisit source
- Reference 21COXAUTOINCcoxautoinc.comVisit source
- Reference 22INSIDEEVSinsideevs.comVisit source
- Reference 23PRESSROOMpressroom.toyota.comVisit source
- Reference 24HONDANEWShondanews.comVisit source
- Reference 25IEAiea.orgVisit source
- Reference 26EXPERIANexperian.comVisit source
- Reference 27S&PGLOBALs&Pglobal.comVisit source
- Reference 28KBBkbb.comVisit source
- Reference 29NADAnada.orgVisit source
- Reference 30JATOjato.comVisit source
- Reference 31GREENCARREPORTSgreencarreports.comVisit source
- Reference 32BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 33AUTOMOTIVEJOBSALLIANCEautomotivejobsalliance.comVisit source
- Reference 34MICHIGANmichigan.govVisit source
- Reference 35UAWuaw.orgVisit source
- Reference 36DOLdol.govVisit source
- Reference 37MAPImapi.netVisit source
- Reference 38WHITEHOUSEwhitehouse.govVisit source
- Reference 39AWSaws.orgVisit source
- Reference 40NSFnsf.govVisit source
- Reference 41TRADEtrade.govVisit source
- Reference 42SHAREHOLDERshareholder.ford.comVisit source
- Reference 43INVESTORinvestor.gm.comVisit source
- Reference 44STELLANTISstellantis.comVisit source
- Reference 45NEWYORKFEDnewyorkfed.orgVisit source
- Reference 46APIapi.orgVisit source
- Reference 47AFDCafdc.energy.govVisit source
- Reference 48NHTSAnhtsa.govVisit source
- Reference 49IIHSiihs.orgVisit source
- Reference 50FHWAfhwa.dot.govVisit source
- Reference 51MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source
- Reference 52GSMAgsma.comVisit source
- Reference 53MEDIAmedia.ford.comVisit source
- Reference 54DEVELOPMENTdevelopment.ohio.govVisit source
- Reference 55ALLIANCEFORAUTOMOTIVEINNOVATIONallianceforautomotiveinnovation.orgVisit source
- Reference 56OLIVERWYMANoliverwyman.comVisit source
- Reference 57RIVIANrivian.comVisit source
- Reference 58SEMICONDUCTORSsemiconductors.orgVisit source
- Reference 59ADDITIVEMANUFACTURINGadditivemanufacturing.mediaVisit source
- Reference 60MEDIAmedia.stellantisnorthamerica.comVisit source
- Reference 61MEDIAmedia.gm.comVisit source
- Reference 62IRir.tesla.comVisit source
- Reference 63RAMTRUCKSramtrucks.comVisit source
- Reference 64USAusa.nissannews.comVisit source
- Reference 65HYUNDAINEWShyundainews.comVisit source
- Reference 66MEDIAmedia.subaru.comVisit source
- Reference 67PICKUPTRUCKTALKpickuptrucktalk.comVisit source
- Reference 68CARPROcarpro.comVisit source
- Reference 69ELECTREKelectrek.coVisit source
- Reference 70AUTOCAREautocare.orgVisit source
- Reference 71ENERGYenergy.ca.govVisit source
- Reference 72SUVDRIVEsuvdrive.comVisit source
- Reference 73MADEINALABAMAmadeinalabama.comVisit source
- Reference 74SUPPLIERMETRICSsuppliermetrics.comVisit source
- Reference 75ACTEONLINEacteonline.orgVisit source
- Reference 76ASEase.comVisit source
- Reference 77CEDced.ky.govVisit source
- Reference 78STACKOVERFLOWstackoverflow.comVisit source
- Reference 79STAFFINGINDUSTRYstaffingindustry.comVisit source
- Reference 80AFTERMARKETMATTERSaftermarketmatters.comVisit source
- Reference 81IRSirs.govVisit source
- Reference 82IIIiii.orgVisit source
- Reference 83PWCpwc.comVisit source
- Reference 84BCGbcg.comVisit source
- Reference 85FEDERALLAWYfederallawy.comVisit source
- Reference 86SPGLOBALspglobal.comVisit source
- Reference 87STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 88FINANCEfinance.yahoo.comVisit source
- Reference 89KELLEYBLUEBOOKkelleybluebook.comVisit source
- Reference 90TESLAtesla.comVisit source
- Reference 91WAYMOwaymo.comVisit source
- Reference 92CONSUMERREPORTSconsumerreports.orgVisit source