Middle Eastern, Asian Demand Fuels Booming US Auto Exports

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Demand from the Middle East and Asia has helped fuel a new record in U.S. auto exports for the third consecutive year.

The Wall Street Journal reports 2.1 million vehicles from factories in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States left for export markets in 2014, breaking the 2-million barrier for the first time. The figure is an 8 percent increase over 2013, and a 73 percent jump from a decade ago.

While around half of the exports head north to Canada or south to Mexico, China, Saudi Arabia and South Korea welcomed U.S.-made BMWs, Jeeps, Toyotas et al to their ports over the past year.

Factors for the booming export market include a dollar that was weak long enough to lay down the foundation, and is now strong enough against the yen and euro to encourage more production in the U.S., leaner manufacturing, competitive labor rates, and the aforementioned increased demand from newer markets in the Middle East and Asia.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Freddie Freddie on Feb 10, 2015

    Remember this article when you hear people talk about raising tariffs and shutting down international trade and investment to protect US jobs. According to the US Commerce Dept. 11 million jobs are tied to exports.

  • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Feb 10, 2015

    ISIS now ordering Jeeps for gun platforms? as opposed to: "Texas Mark-1 plumbing truck Ends Up with ISIS in Syria."

    • RobertRyan RobertRyan on Feb 10, 2015

      @Lou_BC Looks like someone is selling a lot of near new US Diesel HD Pickups to the various Islamist Groups As well as Dodge, and Silverado ,a Shia Brigade had Toyota L70 Diesel Pickups. Most of them had either rockets or heavy machine guns. There would have been about 50 so equipped in a 100 vehicle convoy

  • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Feb 10, 2015

    @RobertRyan - I'm surprised that the USA lets it happen. I'm sure that it is deliberate on the part of ISIS. There is much more PR shock value by using an American pickup as a war vehicle against Americans than a clapped out Hilux.

    • See 2 previous
    • RobertRyan RobertRyan on Feb 11, 2015

      @Big Al from OZ No, they get usedPickups through Turkey. Of course the Tank was formerly used by the Iraqi's,

  • Akear Akear on Feb 11, 2015

    How much of jeep today is really just fiat technology. Ok, the pentastar v6 is American. At least America still has Boeing, Apple, and Microsoft. People around the world love those companies products.

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