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Non-profit

Center for Automotive Research (CAR)

Website:

www.cargroup.org/about/
Location:

Ann Arbor, MI
Tax ID:

01-0779978
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2021):

Revenue: $2,931,484
Expenses: $3,200,009
Assets: $911,154
Type:

Automotive Market and Research Group
Formation:

2003
President/CEO:

Alan Amici

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The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) is a nonprofit technology market-research group that works with companies in the automotive industry. It partners with dozens of governmental agencies around the United States and Canada, as well as corporate entities including Duke Energy, FIAT Chrysler, Toyota, and General Motors. 1

Background

Center for Automotive Research’s roots date back to 1981 when it was known as the Office for the Study of Automotive Transportation and was based at the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute. 2 In 2003, it was established as its own entity, partnering with industry giants such as Toyota and General Motors, as well as government entities and educational institutions such as Ohio State University College of Engineering. 3 In addition to offering membership in groups such as its CAR Affiliate program, the Center for Automotive Research provides services in consultation, media appearances, expert speaker presentations, and research assistance. 4

Research

Center for Automotive Research’s research areas encompass all facets of the automotive industry including the development of new technology, managerial questions, government policy impact, and financial streamlining and forecasting. Peripheral topics, such as the impact of the COVID-19 stimulus funds are also studied, and some of this research is accessible only to members of its Affiliates Program. 5

Some of CAR’s research is relative to dealing with policy changes brought about by climate change concerns. Its report Escalating Need for Auto Supply Chain Action to Align with Paris and Limit Warming to 1.5°C advocates for clearly defined, standardized regulations around which manufacturers and suppliers would coordinate. 6

Initiatives

Partnerships

The Center for Automotive Research Affiliate Program offers industry members access to private research and webinars, as well as opportunities to contribute surveys, interviews, and feedback to CAR’s pool of industry data. Corporate affiliates include Ford, Mitsubishi, and Volkswagen. 7

It also coordinates the Automotive Communities Partnership (ACP), giving its members access to CAR staff for data requests, industry prediction data, and educational and manufacturing resources. The program also offers networking opportunities, and updates via a monthly conference call. This program has dozens of governmental and private entities across the United States and Canada, and its corporate partners include General Motors, Duke Energy, Honda, Toyota, and American Electric Power. 8

In 2012, CAR launched the Coalition for Automotive Lightweighting Materials (CALM), which works to develop technologies for “environmentally sustainable mixed materials” that would reduce vehicle weight, making them more fuel-efficient. 9

Webinars, Podcasts, and Seminars

CAR’s website archives contain dozens of webinar presentations on a broad range of subjects related to the auto industry. Topics include tips on transitioning to electric vehicles, analysis of the United Auto Workers’ (UAW) 2019 contract negotiations, and “Women in the Workforce – How COVID-19 Exposed Workforce Inequality and What Leaders Should Do About It.” 10

The CAR Podcast began in July 2021 and originally aired about once a month, but decreased in frequency after October 2022. It also covered a wide range of topics, including the war in Ukraine, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, and a “sustainability” roundtable with members of the CAR Affiliate program. 11

CAR also hosts an in-person Management Briefing Seminar to provide management training opportunities, as well as speaking events, and a “Casino Night” networking event. The 2023 program featured Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) as one of its keynote speakers. 12

Leadership

Alan Amici, president and CEO of the Center for Automotive Research, is the former vice president and chief technical officer of manufacturer TE Connectivity, and former head of the Uconnect vehicle platform program at FIAT Chrysler. Prior to this he was a senior manager at Daimler Chrysler in the areas of global service/diagnostics and resident engineering. Amici sits on the industrial engineering advisory board of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. 13

References

  1. “Automotive Communities Partnership.” CAR. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.cargroup.org/acp/
  2. “Office for the Study of Automotive Transportation (University of Michigan) records, 1981-1991.” University of Michigan Library.” Accessed November 20, 2023. https://findingaids.lib.umich.edu/catalog/umich-bhl-89504#summary
  3. “Center for Automotive Research.” The Ohio State University. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://car.osu.edu/
  4. “Services.” CAR. Accessed November 20, 2023.  https://www.cargroup.org/services/
  5.  “Publications.” CAR. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.cargroup.org/publications/?wpv-research-group=business-research
  6. Bush, Julia E. Souweidane, Naseeb. “Escalating Need for Auto Supply Chain Action to Align with Paris and Limit Warming to 1.5° C.” CAR. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.cargroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CAR-Escalating-Need-for-Auto-Supply-Chain-Action-to-Align-with-Paris-and-Limit-Warming.pdf
  7. “Affiliates Program.” CAR. Accessed November 20, 2023.  https://www.cargroup.org/affiliates-program/
  8. “Automotive Communities Partnership (ACP).” CAR. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.cargroup.org/acp/
  9. “New Coalition to Advance Integration of Mixed Materials for Automotive Down-Weighting.” Green Car Congress. January 31, 2012. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.greencarcongress.com/2012/01/calm-20120131.html
  10. “Webinars.” CAR. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.cargroup.org/webinars/
  11. “The CAR Podcast.” CAR. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.cargroup.org/podcast/
  12. “CAR Management Briefing Seminar.” CAR. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.cargroup.org/mbs/agenda-2023/
  13. “Alan Amici.” Linkedin. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-amici-27aba46/details/experience/
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: November 1, 2004

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2021 Dec Form 990 $2,931,484 $3,200,009 $911,154 $632,948 N $1,173,002 $1,758,361 $121 $1,089,745
    2020 Dec Form 990 $2,761,929 $3,440,571 $816,316 $632,585 N $965,347 $1,795,449 $188 $872,409
    2019 Dec Form 990 $4,052,893 $4,300,946 $1,220,912 $738,540 N $1,004,768 $3,034,064 $2,112 $486,648 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $3,780,927 $3,681,646 $1,462,274 $731,849 N $626,000 $3,144,958 $3,269 $371,558 PDF
    2018 Mar Form 990 $4,517,523 $4,744,707 $1,490,613 $859,469 N $1,176,790 $3,339,313 $2,230 $716,032 PDF
    2017 Mar Form 990 $4,428,366 $4,765,147 $1,689,512 $831,184 N $1,290,750 $3,136,822 $1,858 $770,972 PDF
    2016 Mar Form 990 $5,239,710 $5,157,656 $2,095,963 $900,854 N $1,317,500 $3,920,316 $2,281 $687,310 PDF
    2015 Mar Form 990 $5,390,982 $5,095,172 $2,297,944 $1,184,889 N $1,326,931 $4,061,646 $2,393 $701,130 PDF
    2014 Mar Form 990 $4,827,868 $4,691,498 $1,660,321 $843,076 N $1,112,819 $3,714,027 $1,432 $1,289,229 PDF
    2013 Mar Form 990 $5,162,370 $4,435,758 $1,445,529 $764,654 N $924,300 $3,719,603 $590 $621,535 PDF
    2012 Mar Form 990 $4,409,045 $4,644,404 $1,245,781 $1,291,518 N $695,653 $3,715,951 $1,028 $667,263 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Center for Automotive Research (CAR)


    Ann Arbor, MI