In 1979, the motor vehicle parts and assembly industries were comparable in terms of employment: 441,100 in parts and 463,000 in assembly. During the recession of 1981-82, employment was reduced sharply in both industries.

Since the 1981-82 recession, the number of employees in the parts industry has grown in every year except two, while the number of employees in the assembly industry has increased in 8 of 16 years. From 1987 forward, there have been more workers in parts than in assembly. By 1998, there were 546,800 workers in the parts industry, and 341,800 in the assembly industry.

In a third motor-vehicles-related industry, automotive stampings, employment in 1998 was little changed from 1979. There were 117,600 workers in automotive stampings in 1979, and 114,100 in 1998.