Mobility and Automotive
More than 100 years after the assembly line was first introduced, Macomb County remains at the forefront of the automotive industry in the United States.
The transformational growth of this industry continues through both traditional manufacturing and also the development of advanced technologies such as autonomous and connected vehicles, smart infrastructure technologies, and robotics. Some of the top companies include General Motors, Ford Motor Co., Stellantis, Magna International, and ZF North America.
At the epicenter to Macomb’s automotive growth is Innovate Mound, a $218 million reconstruction project for nine miles of the Mound Road corridor in Sterling Heights and Warren. The project will strengthen the region and enhance connectivity by incorporating state-of-the-art design and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to create a 21st century multimodal corridor.
Why Macomb County?
- A diverse network of 450 companies
- Michigan is the No. 1 state of automotive R&D and production
- The region has one of the most-skilled manufacturing and engineering workforces in the United States (Source: Detroit Regional Partnership)
Workforce snapshot
15%
Projected job growth from 2017-2027
52,318
Jobs in 2017
56,976
Jobs in 2022
60,336
Projected jobs in 2027
644
Establishments
5.88
Location quotient
Important industry data -- Top in county business-to-business purchases
- Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping, $1.6 billion in-region purchases (89.3%)
- Motor Vehicle Seating and Interior Trim Manufacturing, $1.5 billion in-region purchases (75.2%)
- Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing, $1.3 billion (99.7%)
- Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing, $487 million (57.5%)
Sales data for new car sales
- $859 million - total car sales in 2021
- 56% of total sales to in-region customers
Programs available for businesses
- Industrial Facility Tax Exemption (PA 198) -- provides a tax incentive to manufacturers to enable renovation and expansion of aging facilities, assist in the building of new facilities, and to promote the establishment of high-tech facilities
- Michigan Manufacturing Technical Center I4.0 tech assessment -- helps identify technologies that can provide maximum improvements and return on investment
- Michigan Business Development Program (BDP) -- provides grants, loans and other economic assistance to businesses for highly competitive projects in Michigan that create jobs and/or provide investment and results in a net-positive return to Michigan
- Financing through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation -- small to medium-sized businesses in Michigan utilize the MEDC’s multiple capital access programs to maintain and grow their companies when private sector lenders need assistance in providing a loan
- Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works! programs -- On-The-Job-Training program offers an incentive to employers for hiring eligible job seekers and providing them new skills training. OJT provides reimbursement to the employer; up to 50% of the new employee’s wages for a designated period. This reimbursement assists in covering some of the extraordinary costs of providing the training
- Macomb Community College programs -- the Michigan New Jobs Training Program is an economic development tool that allows community colleges to provide free training for employers that are creating new jobs and/or expanding operations in Michigan. The training for the newly hired workers is paid by capturing the state income tax associated with the new employees' wages.
Partners
- Automation Alley
- LIFT
- Center for Automotive Research (CAR)
Top companies
- AGS Automotive Systems
- Axalta Coating Systems
- Ford Motor Company
- General Motors
- Dana Incorporated
- Stellantis
- L&L Products
- ZF North America
- Magna Seating
- Yanfeng Automotive Interiors
Michigan is No. 1 for automotive industry, EV investment, top 10 for tech talent pipeline
Business Facilities’ 19th Annual Rankings Report also placed Michigan in the top 10 for other categories such as FDI Investment, Customized Workforce Training and Life Sciences, building on the state’s national leadership in key industries and talent development.
Michigan is the top state in the country for Automotive Manufacturing and Electric Vehicle (EV) Industry Investment, according to Business Facilities’ 19th Annual Rankings Report. Citing 2022 as “a pivotal point for the growth of EV adoption,” the publication’s new EV Industry Investment ranking evaluated existing and expected capital investment and job creation, positioning Michigan in the top spot nationally.
Workforce development has also been a top priority for the state with momentum growing as evidenced by Top 10 rankings in Tech Talent Pipeline and Customized Workforce Training categories in this round of rankings by Business Facilities.
Contact us
To learn more about our free and confidential services.
Todd Seibert
Senior Economic Developer
Call: 586-469-5285