A Profile of the Automobile and Motor Vehicle Industry

Abstract

The motor vehicle industry is one of the world’s largest. More than 1 ­billion vehicles are in use around the world, and 80 million are produced and sold annually. Motor vehicles—including passenger cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles such as buses and taxis—are the principal means by which people and goods are transported within and between most communities in the world.

The motor vehicle industry includes corporations that design, develop, and manufacture cars and trucks. These carmakers, such as Ford and ­Toyota, are among the world’s most-familiar corporate brands. The motor vehicle industry also encompasses lesser-known businesses, including several thousand parts makers, tens of thousands of retailers, and specialized lending ...