Strong jump in U.S. parts manufacturing jobs

Automotive parts manufacturing jobs in the U.S. have seen a jolt recently.

The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association announced the results of a new study by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association that showed jobs are up 19 per cent since 2012. The study found that almost 872,000 people in the U.S. had direct employment through the automotive parts manufacturing industry in 2015, up from 734,000.

Michigan tops the list with just under 126,000 people, followed by Ohio at 88,306 and Indiana at 88,306.

The aftermarket specifically saw a 3.6 per cent increase, up 5,000 jobs to 145,000 in 2015 compared to three years prior. The growth demonstrates “the aftermarket’s continued steady growth in the face of drastically changing vehicle technologies,” said AASA president and chief operating officer Bill Long in the announcement about the report.

“Whether it is for ‘do-it-yourselfers,’ independent repair professionals, or a vehicle manufacturer’s dealership service facility, the automotive light vehicle aftermarket supplies vehicle parts, chemicals, tools, equipment, and accessories that help maintain more than 260 million light vehicles in operation in the U.S.,” the report said.

“Never before has the mobility industry had to embrace so many advances in vehicle technology so quickly and on a global scale. These numbers show that MEMA and its member companies are driving innovation, jobs, and economic growth in the U.S. by combining manufacturing and technology,” said Steve Handschuh, president and chief executive officer of the MEMA during a media event at the Washington Auto Show on Jan. 26, where the report was released. “The mobility industry is a significant contributor to the growth of the manufacturing and high-tech sectors.”

The average age of vehicles in the U.S. is 12 years, the report said. “AASA parts manufacturer members play a vital role in ensuring the availability of repair and maintenance parts to ensure the safety of motorists. Serving the needs of the aftermarket has led to consistent growth in jobs related to the sector.”