Automotive

KEY STATISTICS

56,519
Total Jobs

+9.3%
Total Job Growth
from 2010-2020

642
Establishments

$90,955
Average Earnings
(National average $71,587)

Macomb County is a part of the metro Detroit region that put the world on wheels and drove automotive to be a top global industry. More than 100 years after the assembly line was first introduced, Macomb County remains at the forefront of the automotive industry in the U.S. The transformational growth of this industry continues to create economic opportunities through both traditional manufacturing and also the development of advanced technologies such as autonomous and connected vehicles, smart infrastructure technologies, and robotics.

Macomb County’s automotive industry is made up of a diverse network of over 642 companies that have been a driving force of growth within the economy for many years. Since 2010, these companies have invested more than $13.2 billion and created over 56,519 jobs. Accounting for over 20% of the Macomb County economy, the automotive sector posted a GRP of $8.4 B in 2020.

 Over the past 10 years, Macomb County has been steadily increasing traffic safety and preparing for connected mobility by developing an intelligent transportation system (ITS). For instance, Macomb County is one of a few dozen locations in the U.S. to have an ITS powered by a 9.7 gigabit network. The county is also leading the way in the installation of operational connected vehicle roadside units (RSU). There are now more than 300 RSUs along Macomb County’s 152 miles of connected roadway for the testing of autonomous and connected vehicles.

STAFFING PATTERNS

In light of this next generation mobility, occupations in the automotive sector are transforming from blue collar to new collar, which is a solid mix of professional knowledge with technical skills. This workforce shift is changing the way many in the sector operate and Macomb County is poised to be a leader amidst the transformation because of its impressive cluster of automotive employers.

Ten automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer facilities occupy 23 million square feet and employ more than 35,000 workers here. Automotive professionals make an average earnings of $91,696 annually in the county and the industry has seen job growth of 17.9 percent from 2010 - 2018.

EMPLOYMENT TRENDS - Fastest Growing Automotive Jobs 2021-2026 (by total number of jobs)

GEOGRAPHICAL ADVANTAGE

Macomb County is home to some of the industry’s most advanced facilities, a number of which are owned by the “Detroit Three” - General Motors, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Ford Motor Company. General Motors has its GM Tech Center in Warren with 19,000 employees. Fiat Chrysler has two stamping and two assembly plants in Sterling Heights and Warren, which employ more than 14,000 people between all four locations. And Ford Motor Company has two facilities, one in Sterling Heights and one in Romeo, with a combined workforce of more than 4,000 individuals. These Detroit Three facilities employ amazing talent, whose hard work continues to put Macomb County at the forefront of the automotive industry.

Last year, the automotive sector in Macomb County created an $12.7 billion demand for products, and 64 percent, $8.1 billion, was met by companies within the county. The county’s ability to meet the demand of the entire automotive supply chain makes it an important base for supplies in an ever-globalizing automotive industry.

LOCAL SUCCESS IN AUTOMOTIVE