U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago branch recently published a special article on the U.S. auto parts industry competition and trade, pointed out that the continued growth of its imports and exports declining trend.

   At present, the production of auto parts manufacturers employee number is three times the car assembly plant. However, due to the auto parts imports increased year by year, the overall downward trend in the number of employees. At the same time, the three major U.S. auto companies market share from 73% (1996) dropped to 52.2% (October 2005), including direct import and production in the United States foreign car sales in the US market since 1995, the annual average growth rate reached 8% and 7% respectively. U.S. auto parts manufacturers are required to reduce costs as much as possible.

   Trade。 According to the U.S. International Trade Commission statistics, in 2004 the total amount of U.S. imports of auto parts amounted to $77 billion. Over the past 10 years, the nominal value of imports of auto parts has more than doubled ($37 billion in 1995). 1997 imports more than 40 billion U.S. dollars, more than 50 billion U.S. dollars in 2002, in 1999 exceeded $60 billion. Exports increased from $34 billion (1995) to $47 billion (the highest in history, 2000). In the last 10 years of twentieth Century, the import and export of auto parts was essentially flat. But since 2002, imports have started to grow at a high speed, and exports have stalled at a level of $about 40000000000 a year. The result is that in early twenty-first Century the U.S. auto parts industry appeared to be a real trade deficit.

   Import parts analysis. (a) of the engine related parts (including the entire engine and components) accounted for the largest proportion of imports ($18%, 23 billion, 2004) far more than other parts. (two) chassis ($15 billion, 2004). Fastest growing since 1990. Among them, the highest proportion of brake pads and tires, up to $4 billion. Steering, suspension, wheel imports $2 billion.

   Major importing countries. Imports from Mexico, Canada and Japan were $22 billion, $19 billion and $14 billion, accounting for 72% of total imports (10 78% years ago). Mexico for the first time in 1999 more than Canada to become the largest import country.

Chinese factor. 2004, imports from China accounted for only 2% of the U.S. market share. In June 2005, China surpassed Germany to become the fourth largest importer of parts of the United States. In the first half of 2005, the most imported products from China were wheels and tires (29% of total imports).

  The industry is generally expected to increase imports from China, including the original vehicle. 2004, General Company imported from Shanghai 6 sets of 2.4 cylinder 124 thousand liter engine. 2005, Toyota Corporation will import 2.4 sets of 25 thousand liters engine from its Guangzhou joint venture company. General Company announced that it will increase the original imported cars from China, plans to increase from $200 million in 2003 to $4 billion in 2009, while purchasing $5 billion of products from china. Some parts suppliers have started to purchase in China, or in China to establish a production base for export.

  Conclusion. Auto parts production in North America is highly concentrated. Last year the United States auto parts import and export mainly from Mexico and Canada (55% and 75%). But the price factor will be the auto parts industry to re shuffle.