The Japanese automobile industry is moving ahead into a third decade of commitment to America. It is opening new vehicle and engine manufacturing facilities in Indiana and West Virginia this year, employing more workers in its plants, and purchasing record-high levels of U.S.-made automotive parts.

INVESTMENT AND LOCALIZATION
In 1997, Japanese-affiliated automakers produced more than 2.3 million vehicles in the U.S. Their U.S. production includes engines, transmissions, and other key automotive components as well. To date, these automakers have invested over $13 billion in their 14 American manufacturing facilities in nine states. These plants employ more than 41,000 Americans.

R&D
Japanese automakers conduct extensive R&D, design, and engineering functions in the U.S., employing more than 2,200 highly-skilled individuals to design and evaluate vehicles at 35 R&D centers in twelve states and the District of Columbia.

EMPLOYMENT
The Japanese automotive industry makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy. These automakers, their distributors, and their dealers employ about 336,000.

PARTS PURCHASES
In 1997, they purchased nearly $25 billion of U.S.-made auto parts for use in the U.S. and Japan, a ten-fold increase since 1986.

EXPORTS
In 1997, they exported nearly 100,000 vehicles from the U.S., accounting for nearly half of all U.S. vehicle exports, excluding Canada.

QUALITY
Japanese-affiliated automakers continue to demonstrate their dedication to American consumers by receiving very high initial quality ratings from customers on their passenger cars and light trucks. In a separate survey conducted in September 1996, over 70 percent of Americans polled agreed that competition between U.S. and Japanese automakers has benefited consumers by leading U.S. automakers to produce cars and trucks of higher quality and of wider variety.