The automotive parts industry affects nearly everyone in the country, at least indirectly, since eventually there is an end-user at the end of a long supply chain. Here, we explore the top 12 auto parts manufacturers in the United States.
But first, it helps to get an overall feel for the industry.
The sector is evolving quickly, with a growing emphasis on autonomous, connected, electric and shared vehicles, something experts predict will only increase in importance.
The push toward those trends is one of many similar major influences the auto parts industry has seen over the decades.
Examples include competition from international parts manufacturers, capacity for investment, fuel prices, environmental concerns and availability of materials.
Key statistics in the sector
To visualize the current state of the U.S. auto parts industry, consider that it has 4,382 companies supplying 400,791 jobs.
The 2019 average sales are $337.75 billion, 3.61% more than a year ago.
The Midwest has the largest number of companies, followed by the South, West and Northeast.
Top U.S. Auto Parts Manufacturers by Number of Jobs
| COMPANY | EMPLOYEES ON SITE | CITY | STATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lippert Composites, LLC | 7,500 | Elkhart | IN |
| Nexteer Automotive | 6,900 | Saginaw | MI |
| General Motors, Fort Wayne Assembly | 4,300 | Roanoke | IN |
| FCA US, LLC, Kokomo Transmission Plt. | 3,600 | Kokomo | IN |
| Allison Transmission, Inc. | 3,300 | Indianapolis | IN |
| DENSO Mfg. Michigan, Inc. | 2,800 | Battle Creek | MI |
| ZF Transmissions Gray Court, LLC | 2,800 | Gray Court | SC |
| Ford Motor Co. | 2,243 | Sterling Heights | MI |
| Robert Bosch, LLC, Automotive Group | 2,200 | North Charleston | SC |
| Nissan Powertrain Assembly | 2,200 | Decherd | TN |
| AW North Carolina, Inc. | 2,000 | Durham | NC |
| GM Spring Hill Mfg. | 2,000 | Spring Hill | TN |
About the Top U.S. Auto Parts Manufacturers
1. Lippert Composites, LLC, Elkhart, IN, 7,500 employees
Focuses on manufactured home and RV components, including slide-outs, windows, chassis, suspension, axles, stabilizers, doors and more
2. Nexteer Automotive, Saginaw, MI, 6,900
Manufactures steering components and systems
3. General Motors, Fort Wayne Assembly, Roanoke, IN, 4,300
Plant of a multinational company, and focuses on assembly of pick-up trucks
4. FCA US, LLC, Kokomo Transmission Plant, Kokomo, IN, 3,600
Manufactures automotive transmissions and transaxles
5. Allison Transmission, Inc. Indianapolis, 3,300
Produces medium- and heavy-duty automatic transmissions for military and commercial purposes
6. DENSO Mfg. Michigan, Inc., Battle Creek, MI, 2,800
Produces components for automotive heating and air conditioning
7. ZF Transmissions Gray Court, LLC, Gray Court, SC., 2,800
Produces automotive transmissions, assemblies and components
8. Ford Motor Co., Sterling Heights, MI, 2,243
Plant of the major company, and manufactures transmissions for a wide range of Ford vehicles.
9. Robert Bosch, LLC, Automotive Group, North Charleston, SC., 2,200
Manufacturer of anti-lock brakes, gasoline fuel injectors and diesel common rail fuel-injection systems
10. Nissan Powertrain Assembly, Decherd, TN, 2,200
Manufactures automotive engines, with a focus on Nissan vehicles
11. AW North Carolina, Inc., Durham, NC, 2,000
Producer of many types of automotive parts, such as torque converters, clutch assemblies, oil pumps, assembled transmissions and stamped parts
12. GM Spring Hill Mfg., Spring Hill, TN, 2,000 employees
Another plant of a major auto manufacturer, this one manufacturing automotive engines, including metal stampings. It also has assembly operations.
Conclusion
The industry of U.S. automotive parts manufacturing accounts for $337.75 billion in average sales, making it a major industry in the country.
Although its largest companies are concentrated in just five states of the Midwest and South (seven in the Midwest, five in the South), the impact of the industry is felt nationwide.
From manufacturers and distributors, the supply chain moves on to auto parts stores, auto repair companies and on down to the weekend do-it-yourselfer in the driveway.
Click here for a full listing of the nation's auto parts manufacturers on IndustryNet.
