BEA Input-Output Analysis 2024

U.S. Auto and
Truck Industry

Quantifying the U.S. auto industry's production-based footprint. For every $1 of direct output,$4.45 of manufacturing value is generated.

Scope: Includes all 10.2M light vehicles produced in the U.S. (including exports), plus heavy-duty trucks, trailers, and parts manufacturing.

Total Auto Impact
The true manufacturing footprint of the U.S. auto industry
$827 BillionTotal Value Added

This figure represents the Total Manufacturing Value Added generated by the auto industry. It combines the direct output of automakers with the massive upstream supply chain required to build 10.2 million vehicles.

Share of U.S. Manufacturing Value Added
28.4%
Nearly 1/3 of all US manufacturing value added
Manufacturing Multiplier
4.45x
1.0 Direct + 3.45 Supply Chain
Total Auto Exports (2024)
$153B
Vehicles ($59B) + Parts ($94B)
Exports as % of Value Added
18.5%
of Auto Industry ($153B ÷ $827B)
5.2%
of Total Mfg ($153B ÷ $2,912B)
Auto Industry Value Added
$186B

Direct OEM Contribution

Base

The value added directly by assembly plants and OEM operations.

Supply Chain Value Added
$641B

Indirect / Upstream Manufacturing

Primary Metals (Steel/Alum)~$120B
Fabricated Metals~$95B
Chemicals & Plastics~$85B
Computer & Electronics~$70B
Other Manufacturing~$271B

The Math Behind the Numbers

To understand the full impact, we must look at Total Industry Output, not just car sales. The industry produces nearly $1 Trillion in gross output, which drives the $827B in value added.

Sources:

1. BEA Input-Output Accounts Data (2023) - Gross Output & Value Added

2. Federal Reserve Note (2023) - Import Share of Intermediate Inputs

3. International Trade Administration - Export Data

Total Industry Output (Gross)
~$970 Billion
Light Vehicles
~$500B
New Car Sales
Heavy Duty
~$220B
Trucks & Trailers
Exports
$153B
Vehicles ($59B) & Parts ($94B)
Parts (Domestic)
~$90B
Aftermarket & Inventory
"Light Vehicle Sales" are just one component of the total industrial machine.

*Source: BEA Gross Output by Industry (Motor vehicles, bodies and trailers, and parts).

Reshoring Simulator
Estimate the economic impact of shifting imported production back to the U.S.
Reshore Import Share0%
0% (Current)25%50% (Aggressive)
Value Reshored
+$0.0B
Direct Manufacturing Output
Total Economic Boost
+$0.0B
Using 4.45x Multiplier
Est. Jobs Created
+0
Direct & Supply Chain Jobs
*Estimates based on current industry multipliers and labor intensity ratios.

From Output to Value Added

Total Industry Output~$970B
Less: Non-Mfg & Imports-$143B
Imported Inputs (~$100B)
Mexico ~$42B
Canada ~$18B
China ~$12B
Other ~$28B
Non-Manufacturing (~$43B)
Logistics ~$15B
Energy ~$10B
Finance ~$8B
Other ~$10B
Total Manufacturing ImpactDirect + Indirect Value Added$827B
Supply Chain Multiplier
The "Iceberg Effect": Direct value is just the tip.
  • Auto Direct Value
  • Manufacturing Supply Chain
  • Non-Manufacturing Supply Chain
*Click segments for sector details
Total Economic Impact
Including induced spending from industry wages
Total Economic Impact
$1.24 Trillion
Direct + Indirect + Induced
Direct ValueSupply Chain(Indirect)Induced (Spending)