HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey told industry figures at the Southern Automotive Conference (SAC) today that the auto sector will continue to thrive across the region — driving both economic growth and job creation.
“I think we all agree that ‘Made in the South’ is more than a slogan,” Governor Ivey said, referencing the conference’s slogan. “Down here, we’re proving the best place for industrial growth, including auto manufacturing, is in our Southern cities.”
The three-day 2025 SAC, which kicked off Tuesday, highlights how the Southern automotive industry is leading the charge to embrace transformation, spark innovation and blaze a trail into the future. The event rotates annually among Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Governor Ivey welcomed the industry leaders to Alabama’s “Rocket City,” renowned for its contributions to the nation’s space program, by reminding them that Huntsville is also an automotive manufacturing hub.
“Not only does the Huntsville area excel in the development of space technology, but it is also home to the successful new joint auto manufacturing partnership between Mazda and Toyota,” she said. “And that’s in addition to hosting Toyota’s largest auto engine-producing factory in North America.
“Whether engineering space vehicles or cutting-edge automobiles, Alabama is proud to be a part of the South’s vanguard of auto manufacturing innovation.”
Governor Ivey celebrated the scale of the industry in Alabama, where five global automakers have invested over $15 billion in state-of-the facilities. Together, these operations have combined to build more than 15 million vehicles, according to data from the Alabama Department of Commerce.
The plants operated by Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Hyundai and Mazda-Toyota have a combined annual production capacity of 1.3 million vehicles, and the sector supports over 53,000 direct jobs across the state.
Motor vehicles have become Alabama’s No. 1 export, and the state ranks No. 2 nationally for auto exports.
Governor Ivey noted the industry’s rapid rise in Alabama.
“Let’s look at how far we’ve come. Twenty-eight years ago, the first Alabama-built automobile rolled off the assembly line near Tuscaloosa,” she said. “When that premier Mercedes M-Class vehicle came to life, we were just emerging as an auto manufacturing state.
“If you remember, 30 years ago, the textile industry largely dominated our economy,” she added. “Now, auto manufacturing underpins Alabama’s economy.”
Governor Ivey said Alabama’s support system for the auto industry continues to build momentum, with state agencies, universities and community colleges collaborating with manufacturers to fuel expansion.
SAC agenda
Today’s SAC agenda features a panel of representatives from Alabama automakers and a presentation from Mike Oatridge, Executive Director of the Alabama Mobility and Power Center (AMP) on the future of electric vehicles.
Additional programing includes an innovation pitch competition and a session on cross-industry collaboration between automotive and aerospace featuring experts from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
On Thursday, SAC will feature sessions led by Greg Reed, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Workforce, and a panel discussion on “Reinventing Work,” moderated by Greg Canfield, former Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
