How different is the footprint of the motor vehicle parts industry in Europe and North America, and why?

Abstract:

This paper documents the variation among types of parts or functions of suppliers in the distribution of motor vehicle parts producers within Europe as well as between Europe and North America. The objective is to yield a better understanding of the functional distinction in the industry's footprint in Europe and North America. The analysis is based on plant-level data, encompassing over 3,000 motor vehicle parts producing plants in North America and nearly 2,000 plants in Europe.