As Tennessee emerges as one of the top states for auto manufacturing, the state’s biggest statewide business group is forming a partnership with the Tennessee Automotive Manufacturing Association to help grow one of the state’s biggest manufacturing industries as it adapts to the shift to electric vehicles.
The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which traces its roots back to the creation of the Tennessee Manufacturers Association in Chattanooga in 1912, is joining with the automotive manufacturers’ trade group to enhance services for the more than 920 car and truck makers and suppliers now operating in the Volunteer State. The statewide Chamber, which has been negotiating its partnership with the Tennessee Automotive Manufacturers Association (TAMA) for the past year, said itwill use its facilities, staff and connections to aid in educational events, networking, and member communication and services for the automotive group.
“Automotive manufacturing has become a cornerstone of Tennessee’s economy and is absolutely vital to our economic growth and success as a state,” said Bradley Jackson, president of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “I think this partnership will strengthen both the Chamber and TAMA and give a louder voice and much more presence across the state for initiatives that help automotive manufacturing. There are tremendous opportunities for growth in our state.”
According to the Brookings Institute, Tennessee ranks as the No. 1 state in the Southeast for automotive manufacturing, employing over 123,000 Tennesseans and totaling over $4.8 billion in automotive exports in 2019. Business Facilities magazine ranked Tennessee as the top state in the country for automotive manufacturing strength for five of the past 10 years.
Volkswagen and GM are undergoing billion-dollar additions to build electric vehicles and expand production of cells and battery packs in Tennessee, while Nissan continues to expand its production of the battery-charged Leaf and other models. Under a new partnership between the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee drivers will soon benefit from a statewide EV charging network with the capacity to support 200,000 EVs on Tennessee roads by 2028.