In this section:

Chris Gutierrez

President | KC SmartPort

816.591.7311

Chris leads KC SmartPort business development and provides thought leadership to the supply chain industry in Kansas City.

Automotive Manufacturing

As the automotive industry turns to electrification and other advanced technologies, proximity to key resources, an established centralized supply chain and having the right talent are of the utmost importance.

The Kansas City region is a top automotive logistics hub, home to major production facilities for both Ford and General Motors, as well as nearly 70 auto industry suppliers. Additionally, the Kansas City region is a nucleus of engineering, technology, and automotive manufacturing expertise with a strong talent pipeline and cutting edge training programs.

In the last decade, the Kansas City region has seen significant economic investment from the automotive sector. Reinvestment in General Motors’ Fairfax, Kan. operation ($265 million in 2018 and $650 million in 2013), Ford’s Claycomo, Mo. facility ($100 million in 2021, $400 million in 2019 and $1.2 billion in 2011), and Ford's stamping plant in Liberty, Mo. ($101 million in 2020, $5.8 million in 2019 and $260 million in 2011) has resulted in a surge of interest and investment from automotive suppliers looking to the KC region for new facilities.

Kansas City's auto industry employs more than 25,000 individuals in the auto and transportation industry. Ford’s KC plant has been cited as its most productive worldwide, producing the new Ford Transit Van and best-selling F-150 truck.

The Basics

118,033 Employed in KC Manufacturing JobsEQ, 1Q 2024 Note: Data represents KCADC 18-County Region	22,655 Employed in KC Transportation Manufacturing JobsEQ, 1Q 2024 Note: Data represents KCADC 18-County Region
762,000 Annual Automobiles Made in KC Center for Automotive Research, 2022	$19 Billion Value of KC Transportation Manufacturing 2017 Economic Census

Existing Presence

Kansas City is a center for automotive manufacturing and activity as a host of prominent companies operate within the region. Some of these companies include, but are not limited to:

Speed to Market

Kansas City is a move-in ready market with available Class A building inventory and a strong selection of vertical-ready sites. The region is expected to deliver over 10 million sq. ft. of new industrial space in 2023, which includes speculative and build-to-suit facilities.

Benefits of an Established Automotive Logistics Hub

Ongoing supply chain investment from KC’s automotive industry

Streamlined supply chain operations and lower operating costs

Multi-modal transportation infrastructure

Existing manufacturing and distribution operations mean quicker access to suppliers, partners and talent

2nd largest rail center in the U.S.

Productivity

Manufacturing workers in Kansas City are 15.2% more productive than the national average, as measured by JobsEQ in 1Q 2024 for output per worker. Automotive transportation production workers in Kansas City are 32.9% more productive than the national average.