Association Says Japanese-Brand Vehicles Are Integral To U.S. Economy

According to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, the report, "Japanese-Brand Vehicles in America: Freer Trade, Greater Growth, More Jobs" not only focuses on the substantive economic contributions to the U.S., but also notes the significant, positive economic impact Japan would have on the U.S. as a member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) has released a report spotlighting positive economic contributions Japanese-brand auto manufacturers have made in the United States. In 2012 alone, JAMA companies produced 3.3 million vehicles in the U.S., amounting to approximately 32 percent of total U.S. automobile production.

According to JAMA, the report, "Japanese-Brand Vehicles in America: Freer Trade, Greater Growth, More Jobs" not only focuses on the substantive economic contributions to the U.S., but also notes the significant, positive economic impact Japan would have on the U.S. as a member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

“We’ve seen record highs in several areas from vehicles exported from the U.S. to parts purchased in the U.S. and provided $85 billion in personal income for Americans in 2012 alone through the direct, indirect and spinoff jobs we have generated,” said Ron Bookbinder, general director of JAMA USA. “Japan’s inclusion in the TPP will only help strengthen the U.S. economy and provide increased opportunities for skilled American workers.”

The report notes that JAMA members have invested more than $35 billion in the U.S. since the early 1980s to become an integral part of the U.S. domestic automobile industry. Other key statistics from the report include:

* A record high 70 percent of Japanese-brand vehicles sold in the U.S. are built in North America
* Japanese-brand automakers contributed to an estimated 1.36 million U.S. jobs in 2012, an increase of more than 125,000 jobs over 2011
* Eighty-five percent of eco-friendly vehicles driving on American roadways are Japanese brands
* Purchases of U.S. auto parts by Japanese automakers reached an all-time high, topping $51 billion
* U.S. exports from Japanese auto plants in the U.S. reached a record high, surpassing 335,000

“The statistics highlighted in the report are a testament to the increasingly open U.S.-Japan trade in the automobile sector,” said Bookbinder. “Our extensive manufacturing in America and growing exports from our U.S. plants, along with the significant amount of quality jobs supported by JAMA members, underscore our commitment to the U.S. market and the fact that Japanese-brand automakers are among the largest job creators in this country.”

The report also includes additional information on alternative-powered vehicles and energy-efficient technologies by JAMA members.