Pontiac in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Michigan's Auto Industry

Powerplant of the National Economy

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021

1. Michigan's Auto Industry Marker

Inscription. It has been a force in America for the last hundred years, still accounting for a fifth of all American manufacturing. Where there once were hundreds of automobile manufacturers in the United States by 1913 almost 80 percent of all cars were made in the Detroit region. Very few places in the world are so closely associated with a single industry. Yet, new technologies and practices also have been transferred to non-automotive goods design, manufacturing and management. Advancement in computer modeling, materials, mass production and vertical integration are examples. The local economy has diversified over time but it remains the hub of transportation manufacturing with research and design centers, testing facilities, part producers, corporate headquarters and a workforce of 90,000. The Detroit Three - Chrysler, Ford and General Motors - are still rooted here and more than 120 automotive manufacturers and suppliers are headquartered in Oakland County alone. After the $85 billion automotive bailout in 2009, optimism reigns in a region that know "manufacturing is back."
You Auto Know
Detroit has more Industrial and Mechanical

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Engineers than any other metropolitan region in America.

Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 42° 39.322′ N, 83° 19.592′ W. Marker is in Pontiac, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is on Court Tower Boulevard 0.1 miles west of County Center Drive East, on the right when traveling west. Located near the south entrance of the Oakland County Circuit Court. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Telegraph Rd, Pontiac MI 48340, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oakland County World War I Memorial (here, next to this marker); Elizabeth Denison Forth

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 28, 2021

2. Michigan's Auto Industry Marker

(a few steps from this marker); One Person — One Vote (a few steps from this marker); The Courthouse / Oakland County (a few steps from this marker); Helena Sexauer Memorial Planting (within shouting distance of this marker); Votes For Women (within shouting distance of this marker); Oakland County Fallen Heroes Memorial (approx. half a mile away); 911 Memorial...Never Forget (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pontiac.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.