America's Auto Manufacturers Working to Future Proof Their Workforces

Newsweek

a day ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The U.S. auto industry is a significant part of the country's economy, employing 10.1 million people and generating a $1.2 trillion annual impact, which accounts for 4.8 percent of the U.S.'s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.
The Trump administration has put an emphasis on American jobs linked to the industry, penalizing manufacturers that build their products from parts sourced globally by instating tariffs.
Of the 94 million vehicles produced globally, the U.S. only built 10.6 million in 2023, down 39 percent from 2004.
A 2024 report by the Alliance said that every $1 spent on vehicle manufacturing created an additional $4.23 in economic value.
A new ranking conducted by Plant-A Insights Group, in partnership with Newsweek, rates manufacturers across various industries based on insights gathered from over 400,000 employee interviews and 4.9 million company reviews. Corporate culture and working conditions are among the considerations. The America's Greatest Workplaces for Manufacturing 2025 ranking is one of America's largest independent employee studies.
Among those rated highest on the list are tire makers Michelin, Toyo Tires, Goodyear and Bridgestone. Numerous automakers also make the list: Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Mazda, General Motors, Toyota and Honda.
Associates at Honda's Alabama Auto Plant in production of the 2023 Honda Pilot and Pilot TrailSport.
Associates at Honda's Alabama Auto Plant in production of the 2023 Honda Pilot and Pilot TrailSport.
Honda
"We are thrilled to have been named one of America's Best Workplaces for Manufacturing by Newsweek. Working at Audi means shaping the mobility of the future," a spokesperson for Audi told Newsweek.
"At Audi, the focus is on people: In addition to an innovative and flexible working environment, we offer employees attractive pay and security in a large corporation. The compatibility of work and family life and the health of our employees are a high priority at Audi."
The world of modern automotive manufacturing is very different today than it was a decade or two ago. Artificial intelligence-optimized, precision-engineered, robot-assisted builds are the name of the game, and easily scalable and transformable production lines are becoming the norm.
Many car companies maintain manufacturing footprints beyond the assembly plant in the U.S. Mercedes-Benz, for example, has 24 locations across 13 states. Those sites include production facilities for passenger cars and vans, research and development locations, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and electric vehicle charging sites.
"Mercedes-Benz has proudly manufactured vehicles in the United States for more than 25 years, with our Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant producing iconic models like the GLE, GLS, EQE SUV, and EQS SUV for American and global customers, plus the GLC coming in 2027. Our ongoing investments, such as the recent launch of the new eSprinter at our Charleston, South Carolina Van facility, demonstrate our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and growth in U.S. manufacturing. With more than 4.9 million vehicles built to date in Alabama and South Carolina and a local-for-local strategy, we remain dedicated to strengthening our manufacturing footprint and supporting American jobs." Jason Hoff, CEO of Mercedes-Benz North America, told Newsweek.
To date, Mercedes-Benz has invested more than $10 billion in the United States in the areas of production, infrastructure, research and development, design and dealerships.
A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van wearing FedEx livery, parked outside the company's Charleston, South Carolina production facility.
A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van wearing FedEx livery, parked outside the company's Charleston, South Carolina production facility.
Mercedes-Benz
Production flexibility has allowed Honda to create a stable production base in the U.S. The company's flexible manufacturing system enables it to quickly and efficiently move production from one plant to another and build multiple products on the same line.
Associates on the line are the backbone of production. Honda has been recognized by the Ergo Cup, an independent competition that highlights successful ergonomic solutions in North America. The company's associates have won 17 awards in the Cup's 18 years of existence.
Honda encourages its workers to speak up and provide insights to better the company and product. The initiative, called "Associate Voice," is implemented at every level across every Honda production facility in the U.S.
"From the earliest days of the company, Honda has valued feedback from the people that are actually performing the work, no matter where they are in the manufacturing process," said Jun Jayaraman, senior vice-president and Management Manufacturing Center lead at Honda Development & Manufacturing of America. "We value the experience of associates who are working 'at the spot' on the production line regardless of their title or rank. When our associates have concerns about a production process, we not only want to hear about it, we want their suggestions for how to improve it. This philosophy is a cornerstone of our manufacturing operations."
Manufacturers have implemented human resource initiatives aimed at continuing education and enhancing the working environment. And, the reach of factories goes well beyond the confines of their walls, with many workers spending hours volunteering in their communities each year on the company dime.
Rivian, which has its manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, hosts a number of employee events each year including the Holidazzler Holiday Festival, Movie Night and Family & Friends Day. The company also organizes a 5K run each year, with the proceeds benefiting a local community organization. All events are open to Rivian employees and their families.
"Manufacturing is hard work and we think it's important that our employees feel appreciated," Rivian's Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, Carlo Materazzo, told Newsweek. "These events are a way for us to thank our employees for the time that they and their families give to Rivian."
Rivian 5K participants pose for a group photo.
Rivian 5K participants pose for a group photo.
Rivian
The automotive industry is quickly evolving, and so too is the way it manufactures vehicles. Manufacturers are working to future proof their workforces by cross-training and retraining them to interact with, control and design the technology of tomorrow, today.
"At all our production sites, we focus on future-oriented vocational training and further training opportunities: For example, we offer training as an IT specialist or further training in additive manufacturing (3D printing)," the Audi spokesperson said.
Today's manufacturing jobs are not designed to be dead-end jobs. There are opportunities for career advancement inside and outside the plant, allowing those who want to build a career at a company to do so. Honda and Toyota offer tuition assistance for employees pursuing further education.
"Working at Toyota means more than building vehicles – it means building a career in a company that values respect, innovation, and stability," Mark Templin, chief operating officer at Toyota Motor North America, told Newsweek. "Thousands of team members have built careers that span decades, and it's common to see multiple generations of the same family working under one roof."
A worker at Toyota West Virginia poses for a photo.
A worker at Toyota West Virginia poses for a photo.
Toyota
"In an ever-changing environment, Toyota provides steady ground," Templin added. "Our team members can count on secure, well-paying jobs and opportunities to grow. With our build where we sell philosophy, we invest in our people with the same dedication we invest in producing high-quality vehicles here in the U.S."