HOOVER, Alabama – The Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association recognized success across the state industry at its annual appreciation dinner last week, highlighting advancements in innovation, strong community partnerships and continued growth in jobs and production.
Alabama’s auto industry has roared to life since Mercedes-Benz selected the state for its first U.S. auto plant in 1993, and today it encompasses a vast network of global automakers, suppliers and support services.
The automotive assembly lines run by Mercedes, Honda, Hyundai and Mazda-Toyota have a combined annual production capacity of 1.3 million vehicles, and the industry supports more than 53,000 direct jobs across the state.
“It is an exciting time to be part of the automotive industry in Alabama,” said AAMA President Ron Davis. “Our automakers and suppliers continue to build high-quality products that are in demand in markets around the world, and they’re also investing in innovative training and processes to power lineups of the future.
“The sky is the limit for these companies and the people who have made Alabama’s auto industry what it is today, and AAMA is committed to supporting and celebrating them at every turn,” Davis said.
Ed Castile, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and director of AIDT, said the auto industry’s impressive growth over the past three decades would not have been possible without great partnerships among the companies, communities and the dedicated Alabama automotive workforce.
“It’s the people who have made the biggest difference, from the decision-makers at the very top of the industry to the workers putting the finishing touches on the vehicles rolling off the final assembly line,” said Castile, who is also an AAMA board member. “We want to support each one of them along the way, because that’s how the industry’s success was built and that’s how it will continue to grow.”
Among the industry highlights of 2025 are the addition of the all-new Passport SUV at the Honda plant in Lincoln, while Hyundai marked 20 years of building vehicles in Montgomery.
Automakers have invested more than $15 billion in their Alabama facilities, which have collectively turned out more than 15 million vehicles, according to data from the Alabama Department of Commerce.
During the dinner, held at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa, AAMA announced the newest member of its Hall of Fame: Larry Deutscher, general manager – manufacturing for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama.
Deutscher also serves as AAMA vice president and has been instrumental in engaging young professionals across the industry, talking to them about new ideas and the challenges they face, Davis said.
The organization also recognized several companies and individuals for valuable contributions to the state auto industry. “Supplier of the Year” awards went to International (large manufacturer), Asahi Kasei Plastics North America (small manufacturer) and Horizon Point Consulting (service provider).
Automaker representatives also gave updates on their operations and emphasized the companies’ deep roots in the state, which include workforce development partnerships with local colleges and donations to area schools and community programs.
At the same time, the Alabama plants play pivotal roles in the automakers’ global operations. Toyota’s Huntsville engine plant, for instance, produces engines for seven of the nine Toyota vehicles built in North America and also supplies engines for nearly half of Toyota’s North American operations.
AAMA, which was established in 2001 to provide a forum for automotive entities in Alabama, promotes continuing education and growth among all aspects of the industry.
Other individuals were recognized with “Impact Awards,” including State Sen. Gerald Allen; Jacquie Allen, AIDT; Dr. Bharat Balasubramanian, University of Alabama Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies; Melissa Hearon, AIDT; Matt Hodge, Von Braun Center; Felyicia Jerald, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International; Kara Kennedy; Middle Tennessee State University; Jessica Luther, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing; Jason Manning, ASI Partners; Joe McCabe, AutoForecast Solutions; Secretary Ellen McNair, Alabama Department of Commerce; Chris Morris, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, Alabama Auto Plant; Anna Norris, Point B Consulting; Angela Riley, o2 Ideas; Keith Robertson, Air Hydro Power; Tom Shoupe, Shoupe Consulting Services; Elizabeth Strickland, Alabama Community College System; and Hugh Thomas, the Onin Group.
