Kentucky’s Car Economy

As we celebrate cars and the Kentuckians who love them in the June 2014 issue of the magazine, we looked at the numbers that illustrate the crucial role cars play in moving Kentucky’s economy forward.

1.15 billion The total dollar amount committed to plant expansions and other new investments in Kentucky’s auto industry in 2013.

82,000 Approximate number of Kentuckians employed in the automotive industry in 2014.

458 Number of motor vehicle-related facilities operating in Kentucky. Roughly a third of these are owned by or operated in partnership with Japanese firms. Examples include Akebono Brake in Elizabethtown and Glasgow, weatherstripping manufacturer Green Tokai Company of Maysville, and auto stabilizer bar producer MSSC of Hopkinsville.

450 Estimated horsepower of the 2014 Corvette Stingray. Manufactured in Kentucky, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds and was named North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show.

80 Number of Kentucky counties with a working auto facility.

12 and 32 The number of consecutive years in which the Kentucky-produced Camry and F-Series pickup have respectively held those rankings.

11.2 Percentage of all U.S. cars and trucks produced in Kentucky in 2013.

3 Number of major auto manufacturers operating assembly plants in Kentucky: Ford in Louisville, Toyota in Georgetown, and General Motors in Bowling Green.

1 U.S. sales ranking of three Kentucky-produced vehicles: Chevy Corvette (#1 luxury sports car), Toyota Camry (best-selling car in the US), Ford F-Series pickup (best-selling vehicle overall).

For more information from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, download the following:

Kentucky Automotive Industry Quick Facts

2014 Kentucky Economic Development Guide

Kentucky Facilities with Japanese Ownership

Source: Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development

Read the Kentucky Living June 2014 feature that goes along with this Web exclusive, Cool Cars.