Center for Automotive Research Releases New White Paper: UAW's Next Frontier: Mercedes-Benz in Alabama

Ann Arbor, MI (May 10, 2024) – The Center for Automotive Research (CAR), a leading independent non-profit organization focused on automotive research and analysis, today announced the release of a new white paper co-authored with Wayne State University, titled "UAW's Next Frontier: Mercedes-Benz in Alabama."

This white paper examines the upcoming unionization vote at the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, scheduled for May 13-17, 2024. The paper explores the significance of this vote for both the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Mercedes-Benz, considering the recent changes within the UAW and the potential impact on labor relations in the South.

Key points explored in the white paper:

• The UAW's recent leadership changes and renewed focus on organizing.
• Mercedes-Benz's Tuscaloosa plant as a strategic asset and its current labor practices.
• Potential benefits and challenges of unionization for both the UAW and Mercedes-Benz.
• The broader implications of the vote for the future of labor relations in the U.S. automotive industry.

"The results of the unionization vote at Mercedes-Benz Plant Tuscaloosa will not only have a persistent impact on both the UAW and Mercedes-Benz but also have broader implications for the U.S. automotive industry," said Yen Chen, Principal Economist at CAR, lead author of the white paper, co-authored with Dr. Marick Masters, Professor of Business at Wayne State University. "This white paper provides valuable insights for industry leaders, policymakers, and observers of the labor movement to understand the stakes involved in this pivotal moment."

The CAR white paper "UAW's Next Frontier: Mercedes-Benz in Alabama" is available for download at https://www.cargroup.org/publication/uaw-mercedes-benz-white-paper/

Center for Automotive Research
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) is an independent, non-profit organization conducting industry-driven research and analysis. Focusing on critical areas like Energy & Sustainability, Technology, and Labor, Economics, and Policy, CAR has been a trusted resource for the automotive industry for over twenty years. www.cargroup.org
 
Mike Ilitch School of Business, Wayne State University
The Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business prepares students for challenging and rewarding careers, advances the boundaries of scholarly and practitioner knowledge, and enhances the economic vitality of the city of Detroit, the state of Michigan, and beyond through its programs, research, and community engagement. Established in 1946, the business school was renamed in 2015 in recognition of a $40 million gift from Mike and Marian Ilitch. Thanks to this lead investment, the school moved to a new state-of-the-art building in the heart of District Detroit in 2018, and academic programming and collaboration with city businesses are expanding. ilitchbusiness.wayne.edu 

The Center for Automotive Research is a nonprofit organization; its mission is to inform and advise, through independent research, education, and dialogue, enabling a more viable and sustainable automotive ecosystem.