Automotive Manufacturing
In the last decade, the Kansas City region has seen significant economic investment from the automotive sector. Reinvestment in General Motors’ Fairfax, Kan. operation ($265 million in 2018 and $650 million in 2013), Ford’s Claycomo, Mo. facility ($100 million in 2021, $400 million in 2019 and $1.2 billion in 2011), and Ford's stamping plant in Liberty, Mo. ($101 million in 2020, $5.8 million in 2019 and $260 million in 2011) has resulted in a surge of interest and investment from automotive suppliers looking to the KC region for new facilities.
Kansas City has been named the #2 auto industry trading hub in North America by the Brookings Institution and employs more than 15,500 individuals in the auto industry. Ford’s KC plant has been cited as its most productive worldwide, producing the new Ford Transit Van and best-selling F-150 truck.
The Basics
Employed in KC Manufacturing
106,708
JobsEQ, 1Q 2020
Note: Data represents KCADC 18-County Region
Employed in KC Transportation Manufacturing
20,941
JobsEQ, 1Q 2020
Note: Data represents KCADC 18-County region
Annual Automobiles Made in KC
658,000
Center for Automotive Research, 2019
Value of KC Transportation Manufacturing
$16 billion
2012 Economic Census