Driving the future of the auto industry.

Automobiles are evolving … and Northeast Ohio is powering the shift.

Located at the center of the U.S. and Canadian automotive industries, with strength in tires, trailers, offroad, motor sports, auto electronics, and energy storage, the Northeast Ohio Region is a smart choice for automotive companies – particularly companies pivoting to electrification.

As the second-largest U.S. automotive manufacturing state, Ohio has the infrastructure and the workforce to support successful automotive manufacturing operations. Twenty-six thousand automotive workers, 205 related higher education programs, and an end-to-end supply chain bolster the region’s automotive businesses – and 24 existing OEM facilities prove Northeast Ohio’s strength in the industry. A top-ranked infrastructure, including rail, highways, and waterways, plus close proximity to 96% of U.S. and Canadian auto production and 50% of the U.S. population, make it easy to transport vehicles, batteries, and parts.

Northeast Ohio offers shovel-ready sites, a robust, mature utility infrastructure and an abundance of natural resources to support electric vehicle and battery production, including natural gas and water. It’s also home to top R&D and manufacturing facilities for lithium-ion battery cathode materials – a bonus for electric vehicle battery manufacturers.

An engaged community of manufacturers, organizations, and institutions, including Team NEO, foster manufacturing advancements – including momentum in the electric vehicle industry – through innovation cluster groups. Focused on smart manufacturing and additive manufacturing, these clusters connect companies, and academic and research institutions, with opportunities to collaborate around new technologies that build on the region’s industrial, organizational and workforce strengths.

Download our resource guide and learn more about the Automotive industry within the Northeast Ohio Region.

The Northeast Ohio Region drives automotive business success.

Automotive and components manufacturers have significant opportunity for growth in Northeast Ohio.

#2 State in U.S.

Ohio is the #2 state for automotive manufacturing

Workforce

26,000+

26,000+ auto workers

school

205 Programs

205 educational programs that lead to automotive industry jobs

automobile

1 million +

1 million-plus automobiles delivered annually from the Northeast Ohio Region

economic growth, hand with plant and dollar symbol

Programs & partnerships advancing the EV industry 

Multimillion-dollar workforce training initiatives in areas like robotics, microelectronics, IT, and smart manufacturing demonstrate Northeast Ohio’s commitment to the future. And the region’s universities and incubators are true partners for electric vehicle and battery companies.


Youngstown State University
Foxconn logo

Foxconn & Youngstown State University

Youngstown State University and Foxconn recently announced plans to establish a partnership to design and launch a national electric vehicle workforce training and innovation center near Foxconn’s Lordstown electric vehicle manufacturing facility. The center will help build a sustainable workforce for advanced manufacturing, energy storage, and integrated technology solutions like artificial intelligence, 5G, and cybersecurity.

Lorain County Community College

Lorain County Community College

Lorain County Community College partnered with 70-plus unique Northeast Ohio microelectronics companies to develop a mechatronics program to train entry-level workers in the electronics manufacturing, microelectronic development, or PCB repair industry. The program offers short-term certificates, an associate degree, and Ohio’s first bachelor’s degree in MEMS.

BRITE Energy Innovators

BRITE Energy Innovators

Located in Warren, BRITE Energy Innovators is the only energy technology incubator and accelerator in Ohio, with a primary focus on electric mobility, energy storage and grid resilience. BRITE provides startups the support and connections they need to start and scale their energy technology solutions.

ultium cells logo
Success Story

Ultium Cells LLC

GM and LG Chem announced the creation of their 50/50 JV, Ultium Cells LLC, to mass produce batteries for future EVs.

Top 10 Automotive Employers in Northeast Ohio

CompanyEmployed in Industry
Ford Motor Co.3,490
Ganley Auto Group2,201
Schaeffler Group USA Inc.1,700
General Motors Co.1,083
Mac Manufacturing700
Newman Technology700
Stoneridge Inc.550
East Manufacturing Corp.435
Artiflex Manufacturing, LLC428
Faurecia Emissions Control Systems NA, LLC400
Source: D&B Hoovers 

Top 10 Automotive Occupations in Northeast Ohio

OccupationEmployed in Industry
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators5,859
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic1,106
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers1,104
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic977
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers823
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers795
Machinists640
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers630
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand553
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic519
Mindy McLaughlin

Mindy McLaughlin

Managing Director, Global Business Development, Team NEO 

Contact us.