The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association’s U.S. office (JAMA USA) has released its 2015 advance contributions data, highlighting Japanese-brand automakers’ growing economic contributions to America.
The data features JAMA members’ cumulative investment, direct employment, dealer-network employment, production, and sales in the U.S., as well as exports from their U.S. manufacturing plants.
“Across the country, from California to Tennessee, from Texas to Indiana, Ohio, and numerous states in between, our members continue to provide American workers with high-quality jobs,” said Manny Manriquez, JAMA USA General Director. “Through JAMA members’ manufacturing, R&D, headquarters, sales and dealership network employment, they provided an all-time high of more than 460,000 U.S. jobs in 2015.”
With Japanese-brand automakers’ cumulative investment in the U.S. exceeding $45 billion as of 2015, JAMA members have increasingly demonstrated their commitment to building and selling their vehicles here over the last four decades.
“For the first time in history, more than 75 percent of Japanese-brand vehicles sold in the U.S. are made in North America – this proves that our members’ commitment to manufacturing in America remains as strong as ever,” added Manriquez.
While this new data shows that JAMA members’ are integral to the U.S. automotive industry, their impact in the U.S. goes far beyond raw production numbers and direct investment.
“Broader U.S. contributions are at the core of our members’ approach to investing in America. Japanese-brand automakers also invest in U.S.-based research and development and forward-looking workforce development initiatives. Through these activities, and the continuous focus on emerging technologies, such as automated driving systems and connected vehicles, our members are helping to shape the automotive future in America,” said Manriquez.
Image credits: Automotive News. Content by JAMA USA
