Detroit - Kentucky's auto industry had a hard-to-miss presence today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. A high-level delegation traveled from the Commonwealth to the Motor City to put a best foot forward at an event that brings together leaders and thinkers
from the global automotive community to catch up on the latest news and events. More than 5,000 journalists from
55 countries attended last year, making the event an excellent venue to showcase Kentucky's automotive sector.
Governor Steve Beshear was joined in Detroit by the mayors of Lexington and Louisville, as well as company leaders from Toyota, Ford and GM. "We know just how innovative and dynamic Kentucky's auto industry is, and it's important that message gets heard loud and clear by the industry's most influential leaders," Beshear said.
Lexington Mayor Jim Gray and his Louisville counterpart, Greg Fischer, are pursuing an effort to develop an economic development "super region" anchored by their cities that would revolve around advanced manufacturing such as automotive.
"The auto industry's drive to meet new fuel efficiency standards translates into transformation that affects Toyota and Ford and the hundreds of suppliers in Kentucky," said Gray. "The industry has hit a new reset, with just over 13 million vehicles produced annually, but with vehicle electrification, lighter-weight vehicles, and alternative fuels, new technology is the driving force. All this translates into opportunity for Lexington, where the National Argonne Battery Laboratory is under construction today at Spindletop Research Center, just outside Lexington."
More than 738,771 cars and light trucks were assembled in Kentucky in 2010. Kentucky ranks fourth among all states in light vehicle production. More than 440 motor vehicle-related manufacturing and supplier facilities employ nearly 67,000 people full-time, including the almost 14,000 full-time employees at the four Kentucky automotive assembly plants.
In 2011, 71 motor vehicle-related companies announced a new location or expansion in Kentucky. Those projects represent more than 5,000 new jobs and nearly $1.1 billion in new investment across the Commonwealth.
Recent high-profile announcements include a $131 million investment by GM at its Bowling Green Corvette plant, as well as Ford's $1.2 billion investment between its two Louisville assembly plants. The Kentucky-Ford project was just named the 2011 Economic Development Deal of the Year by Business Facilities magazine.
Kentucky is also a major player in the advanced-battery industry, with construction nearing completion on the new Kentucky-Argonne Battery Manufacturing Research & Development Center in Lexington, Gov. Beshear said.
Toyota already produces the hybrid Camry at its Georgetown plant, and last year, Hitachi announced major expansions of its Kentucky operations, allowing it to begin producing lithium ion battery packs, motors and other components for use in electric and hybrid automobiles, he said.