Illinois Automotive Industry
The automotive industry is the most important industry in the United States and Illinois is one of the nation’s largest auto producers, employing over 35,000 people and supporting over a million more jobs in related industries.
• Employment: 35,000+
• Number of Firms: 320+
• Total Value of Shipments: $8 Billion+
• Value of Industry: $2.9 Billion
Northern Illinois has an ideal business climate for auto plants and suppliers. The large and small corporations that already call it home take advantage of its central location and an excellent transportation system that makes Midwest markets as well as the world easy to reach. The U.S. Customs port of Peoria is here, and foreign-trade zone benefits are available to help reduce costs for automotive companies that do business globally. Local governments understand and support the auto industry.
Chrysler, Ford, and Mitsubishi all have major manufacturing plants in Illinois. Ford set up its first ever Supplier Park in North America in Chicago in 2004. Also in Northern Illinois is Rockford, a world leader in the production of machine tools and auto parts. This well-developed local infrastructure supports the growing international trade in auto parts. Illinois is also boasts the corporate headquarters and manufacturing plants of Caterpillar, the largest manufacturer of construction equipment in the world, and John Deere & Co., the largest manufacturer of tractors and agricultural equipment.
Links:
Association of International Automobile Manufacturers: http://www.aiam.org/public/aiam/impact/il.aspx
Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois: http://www.apsail.com