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
1Automotive manufacturing employed 950,000 workers in 2022.
Verified2Total automotive industry jobs, including suppliers, reached 4.2 million in 2022.
Verified3Michigan had 295,000 auto-related jobs in 2022.
Verified4Average hourly wage in motor vehicle manufacturing was $29.47 in 2023.
Directional5UAW represented 431,000 workers in U.S. auto industry in 2023.
Single source6Women comprised 25% of automotive manufacturing workforce in 2022.
Verified7Supplier jobs totaled 3.25 million in 2022.
Verified8Dealership employment was 1.2 million in 2022.
Verified9Unemployment rate in auto manufacturing was 3.8% in 2023.
Directional10Entry-level production jobs averaged $50,000 annual salary in 2023.
Single source11150,000 new auto jobs added since 2021 bottom.
Verified12Skilled trades like welders: 120,000 employed in auto sector 2022.
Verified13Turnover rate in auto manufacturing was 4.2% in 2022.
Verified14Apprenticeships in auto manufacturing: 25,000 active in 2023.
Directional15R&D engineers in auto: 180,000 employed in 2022.
Single source16Logistics and warehousing jobs: 450,000 in auto supply chain 2022.
Verified17Motor vehicles and parts employment: 992,000 in Feb 2023.
Verified18Auto mechanics employed: 725,000 in 2022.
Verified19Alabama auto jobs: 40,000 in 2022.
Directional20Wage growth in auto sector: 6.5% YoY in 2022.
Single source21Diversity: 30% minorities in production roles 2022.
Verified22Tier 2 supplier jobs: 900,000 in 2022.
Verified23Service technicians jobs growth: 2% projected to 2032.
Verified24Union membership in auto: 14.5% of workforce 2022.
Directional25Training programs graduates: 50,000 annually from community colleges.
Single source26Remote work in auto admin: 20% of roles 2023.
Verified27EV technician certifications: 10,000 issued 2022.
Verified28Injury rate in manufacturing: 2.7 per 100 workers 2022.
Verified29Kentucky auto employment: 95,000 in 2022.
Directional30Software engineers in auto: 50,000 added 2021-2022.
Single source31Temps/contractors: 15% of auto workforce 2022.
VerifiedEmployment 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
1U.S. EV sales share reached 6.2% of total in 2022.
Verified2Average fuel economy of new vehicles: 26.4 mpg in 2022.
Verified3CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles: 4.6 billion metric tons globally, U.S. 1.2B in 2022.
Verified4U.S. had 3.1 million EVs on road by end 2022.
Directional5Public EV chargers: 43,800 Level 2 and DC fast in 2022.
Single source6Autonomous vehicle testing miles: 50 million by major firms in 2022.
Verified7ADAS-equipped new vehicles: 85% in 2022.
Verified8U.S. invests $7.5B in EV charging infrastructure via BIL.
Verified9Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles: 17,000 on U.S. roads 2023.
Directional10Fleet average GHG emissions down 30% since 2010.
Single source11Software-defined vehicles projected 50% by 2025, 20% in 2022.
Verified12V2G technology pilots in 10 states covering 5,000 vehicles 2023.
Verified13Recycled materials in new vehicles: 25% average in 2022.
Verified14NOx emissions reduced 99% since 1970 standards.
Directional155G-connected vehicles: 15 million in U.S. fleet 2022.
Single source16BEV market share: 5.8% in 2022 U.S. sales.
Verified17New vehicle fleet CO2: 358 g/mi average 2022.
Verified18U.S. vehicle miles traveled: 3.2 trillion in 2022.
Verified19Supercharger stations: 2,000 in U.S. end 2022.
Directional20Level 3 autonomy miles logged: 20 million by Waymo 2022.
Single source21Lane-keeping assist adoption: 78% new cars 2022.
Verified22NEVI funding allocated: $5B for 50,000 chargers.
Verified23Biofuel blend use in flex-fuel: 10% ethanol avg.
Verified24Cybertruck prototypes: software updates OTA 100%.
Directional25Tire efficiency standards saved 1B gallons fuel since 2007.
Single source26LiDAR-equipped vehicles: 5% new sales 2022.
VerifiedEnvironmental 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
1Automotive contributed $580 billion to U.S. GDP in 2022.
Verified2Auto exports from U.S. totaled $60.4 billion in 2022.
Verified3U.S. auto imports were $241 billion in 2022.
Verified4Motor vehicle trade deficit was $183 billion in 2022.
Directional5Ford revenue from U.S. operations: $78.8 billion in 2022.
Single source6GM revenue: $156.7 billion globally, with U.S. 60% share in 2022.
Verified7Stellantis North America revenue: $92 billion in 2022.
Verified8Auto parts exports: $47.2 billion in 2022.
Verified9R&D spending by U.S. automakers: $30 billion in 2022.
Directional10Dealer profits reached $1,800 per new vehicle in 2022.
Single source11Auto loan debt totaled $1.5 trillion in 2023.
Verified12Average new vehicle incentive spending: $5,872 in 2022.
Verified13Taxes from auto industry: $100 billion annually.
Verified14Investment in U.S. plants: $55 billion since 2021.
Directional15EV battery investments: $70 billion announced by 2023.
Single source16Auto industry GDP contribution: 3% of U.S. total in 2022.
Verified17GM U.S. profit: $10.4 billion in 2022.
Verified18Ford EBIT: $9.2 billion automotive in 2022.
Verified19Aftermarket parts market: $400 billion in 2022.
Directional20Vehicle financing revenue: $50 billion for banks 2022.
Single source21R&D tax credits claimed: $5 billion by auto firms 2022.
Verified22Insurance premiums from autos: $300 billion annually.
Verified23Supply chain costs rose 15% for OEMs in 2022.
Verified24Chip shortage cost industry $210 billion in 2021-2022.
Directional25Dealer inventory value: $150 billion end 2022.
Single source26EV incentives federal: $7,500 per vehicle IRA 2023.
Verified27State auto sales taxes: $45 billion collected 2022.
Verified28Capital expenditures by OEMs: $40 billion in U.S. 2022.
Verified29Auto retail sales revenue: $1.1 trillion 2022.
Directional30EV stock market cap: $500 billion for U.S. firms 2023.
Single sourceFinancial 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
1In 2022, U.S. light vehicle production reached 10.06 million units, a 3.4% increase from 2021.
Verified2U.S. automakers produced 1.77 million vehicles in Q1 2023, down 5.5% from Q1 2022.
Verified3Ford Motor Company's U.S. production was 1.82 million units in 2022.
Verified4General Motors produced 2.21 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2022.
Directional5Stellantis U.S. production totaled 1.49 million units in 2022.
Single source6U.S. engine production was 11.2 million units in 2022.
Verified7Michigan accounted for 20.6% of U.S. automotive production in 2022.
Verified8U.S. light truck production hit 6.49 million units in 2022.
Verified9Passenger car production in the U.S. was 2.77 million units in 2022.
Directional10U.S. stamping and forging plants produced parts worth $45.6 billion in 2022.
Single source11Foundry production for automotive castings reached 4.2 million tons in 2022.
Verified12U.S. motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing output index was 98.5 in 2023.
Verified13Parts manufacturing employment supported 4.1 million jobs indirectly in 2022.
Verified14U.S. vehicle assembly plants numbered 54 in operation as of 2023.
Directional15Aluminum die-casting for autos produced 1.8 million tons in 2022.
Single source16U.S. plastic parts production for vehicles was $28.7 billion in 2022.
Verified17Glass production for automotive use totaled 450 million square feet in 2022.
Verified18U.S. tire production for passenger cars was 278 million units in 2022.
Verified19Battery production capacity for EVs reached 100 GWh in U.S. by 2023.
Directional20Steel used in U.S. auto production was 80 million tons in 2022.
Single source21U.S. light vehicle production reached 10.06 million units in 2022, up 3.4% YoY.
Verified22GM U.S. production: 2.21 million vehicles in 2022.
Verified23Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant produced 400,000 F-150s in 2022.
Verified24Toyota's Georgetown plant output: 550,000 vehicles in 2022.
Directional25Honda's Ohio plants produced 1.2 million vehicles combined in 2022.
Single source26U.S. powertrain production: 9.8 million units in 2022.
Verified27Ohio's auto production share: 12% of national total in 2022.
Verified28Heavy-duty truck production: 285,000 units in 2022.
Verified29EV production in U.S.: 510,000 units in 2022.
Directional30Supplier Tier 1 sales to OEMs: $250 billion in 2022.
Single source31Rivian produced 24,000 vehicles in Normal, IL plant 2022.
Verified32U.S. semiconductor fab investments for autos: $20B by 2023.
Verified33Capacity utilization in auto manufacturing: 78.2% in 2023.
Verified343D printing parts production scaled to 1 million units annually 2022.
Directional35Jeep Wrangler production: 200,000 units at Toledo 2022.
Single source36Chevrolet Silverado production: 450,000 at Fort Wayne 2022.
Verified37Tesla Model 3/Y production at Fremont: 560,000 in 2022.
Verified38Ram 1500 production: 300,000 at Sterling Heights 2022.
Verified39Nissan Rogue output at Smyrna: 350,000 units 2022.
DirectionalProduction 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
1U.S. light vehicle sales reached 13.9 million units in 2022.
Verified2Ford F-Series sold 650,528 units in the U.S. in 2022.
Verified3Chevrolet Silverado sales were 513,367 units in 2022.
Verified4Ram Pickup sold 468,344 units in 2022.
Directional5Tesla Model Y sales hit 231,400 units in 2022.
Single source6Toyota RAV4 sold 399,941 units in 2022.
Verified7Honda CR-V sales were 361,457 units in 2022.
Verified8Electric vehicle sales in U.S. reached 918,344 units in 2022, up 55%.
Verified9Pickup trucks accounted for 19.8% of U.S. light vehicle sales in 2022.
Directional10SUVs/Crossovers made up 53.4% of 2022 U.S. sales.
Single source11Average transaction price for new vehicles was $48,759 in 2022.
Verified12Used vehicle sales totaled 35.7 million units in 2022.
Verified13Market share of domestic brands was 49.1% in 2022.
Verified14Imports held 51.7% U.S. light vehicle market share in 2022.
Directional15Luxury vehicle sales grew 4.2% to 2.8 million units in 2022.
Single source16Fleet sales accounted for 23% of total U.S. sales in 2022.
Verified17Retail sales were 10.7 million units in 2022.
Verified18Q4 2022 sales hit 3.88 million units.
Verified19Hybrid sales reached 1.1 million units in 2022, up 37%.
Directional20U.S. auto sales: 13.9 million light vehicles in 2022, down 8% YoY.
Single source21GMC Sierra sales: 243,175 units in 2022.
Verified22Toyota Camry: 295,201 units sold 2022.
Verified23Jeep Grand Cherokee: 243,843 units in 2022.
Verified24Nissan Rogue: 277,765 units 2022.
Directional25Hyundai Tucson: 197,675 units sold 2022.
Single source26Subaru Outback: 167,000 units 2022.
Verified27Plug-in hybrid sales: 109,000 units in 2022.
Verified28Midsize pickup sales: 1.2 million units share in 2022.
Verified29Compact cars sales decline to 8.5% market share 2022.
Directional30Tesla overall U.S. sales: 403,000 units 2022.
Single source31Average age of U.S. vehicles on road: 12.5 years in 2022.
Verified32Online vehicle sales: 15% of transactions in 2022.
Verified33California EV sales: 25% of national total in 2022.
Verified34Full-size SUV sales: 2.1 million units 2022.
Directional35Lease penetration: 28% of new vehicle sales 2022.
Single source36Cash purchases: 12% of new vehicles in 2022.
VerifiedSales 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