Klier Th.H., Rubenstein J. Who Really Made Your Car? Restructuring and Geographic Change in the Auto Industry

W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 2008, 419 p. — ISBN10: 0880993340, ISBN13: 9780880993340.This book provides a comprehensive look at an industry that is responsible for up to 70 percent of the value added in the manufacture of motor vehicles and whose employees outnumber final assembly workers by nearly four to one: auto parts suppliers. Klier and Rubenstein present the key characteristics of the vast network of parts suppliers and describe the changing geographics of U.S. motor vehicle production at the local, regional, national, and international levels. This helps illustrate the challenges in store for motor vehicle parts production in the United States and especially in the Midwest.The Parts of Your Vehicle
Principal Objectives of the Book
Data for This Book
Book Outline
Carmaker–Supplier Relations
Outlook and UncertaintiesDetroit: Heart of the Auto Industry
Rise and Fall of Vertical Integration in the Midwest
Benefits of Vertical Integration
Pioneering Parts Producers
Vertical Integration at Ford and GM
Vertical Disintegration at Ford and GM
Outlook and UncertaintiesSupplying the Power
Powertrain Assembly in the Midwest
Powertrain Components in the Midwest
International Carmakers Powertrain
Outlook and UncertaintiesThe Body Builders
Stamping of Body Parts
Painting the Body: Capturing a Mood
From Bumpers to Fascia
Outsourcing Complete Exterior Modules
Outlook and UncertaintiesSupplying the Suppliers
Typical Lower-Tier Suppliers
Large Lower-Tier Suppliers
Leading Suppliers of Commodities
Reducing Price While Raising Value
Outlook and UncertaintiesCarmaker–Supplier Networks: How Close Is Close Enough?
The Closely Linked Supply Chain
Just-in-Time Production
Networks of Suppliers and Assemblers
Outlook and UncertaintiesSeat Supplier Right Next Door
It All Started with Seats
The Rest of the Interior
Interior Systems Integrators
Outlook and UncertaintiesDelivering the Goods
3PLs: Moving the Freight and Managing the Chain
Coordinating and Managing Logistics
Outlook and UncertaintiesShifting Fortunes along Auto Alley
Emergence of Auto Alley
Before Auto Alley
The North–South Auto Alley
Outlook and UncertaintiesAbandoning Ohio: ATale of Two Cities
Rise and Fall of Rubber City
Risk and Fall of Glass City
Outlook and UncertaintiesChassis Suppliers Move South in Auto Alley
Hanging on in the Midwest
Chassis Parts Production Moves South
North–South Battleground
Outlook and UncertaintiesWorking for Suppliers
Rise and Fall of Auto Unions
State of the Union in the Twenty-first Century
Outlook and UncertaintiesThe Endangered U.S. Supplier
The Rising Tide of Imports
Nationality of Largest Suppliers
Which Types of Parts Are Imported?
The Big Picture in Trade
National Origin of Imports
Which Types of Parts Are Exported?
Outlook and UncertaintiesThe Driving Force: Electronics Suppliers
Performance: Getting Power from the Engine to the Accessories
Safety Systems
Interior Convenience Components
Outlook and Uncertainties: Will the Tail Wag the Dog?Conclusion: Surviving the Car Wars
Summary of Findings
Outlook and Uncertainties for Parts Suppliers
Outlook and Uncertainties for Communities