Tennessee’s auto industry sector currently employs more than 144,700 Tennesseans across 900+ automotive companies in 88 of the state’s 95 counties. These are composed of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) assembly plants, EV/battery campuses, a network of Tier 1 and 2 parts suppliers and mobility/logistics hubs.
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
These are the massive assembly plants that build the final vehicles.
• General Motors: Operates in Spring Hill, producing gas and electric vehicles including the Cadillac LYRIQ, VISTIQ, XT5 and XT6, and soon the Blazer.
• Nissan: Operates in Smyrna, producing the Pathfinder, Rogue, Murano and INFINITI QX60, and a power train plant in Decherd that produces engines, forgings, castings and electric motors.
• Volkswagen: Operates in Chattanooga, where Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport are assembled; ID. 4 assembly concludes in 2026.
• Ford Motor Company (Blue Oval City / Tennessee Truck Plant): A planned $5.6 billion mega-campus in Haywood County (Stanton) originally announced for next-generation electric trucks and battery production. Now being retooled for gas-fueled truck production with a 2029 start date for manufacturing.
Battery and EV Technology Manufacturers
The state has pivoted to become a premier Southern hub for battery manufacturing and clean mobility technology
• Ultium Cells (Spring Hill): A $2.3 billion joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution manufacturing battery cells. In March, the company announced a pivot to energy storage systems for AI data centers.
• AESC (Smyrna): Originally supplied EV batteries for the Nissan LEAF and, after a 2025 retooling, now produces batteries for energy-storage systems.
• LG Chem (Clarksville): A major cathode-materials plant for EV batteries in Clarksville; the broader announced investment has been reported at about $3.2 billion.
Tier 1 & Tier 2 Auto Parts Suppliers
These companies manufacture everything from air bag inflators to headlamps, supplying the OEMs both regionally and globally.
• DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee (Maryville): A major East Tennessee supplier producing electrification and safety components, instrument clusters and other automotive electronics.
• SL Tennessee (Clinton): Produces automotive lighting and related components in Clinton, including headlamps and rear lamps.
• Autokiniton (Lebanon): Operates a stamping and weld-assembly plant in Lebanon that supports automotive structural-component production.
Tire and Heavy Rubber Providers
Due to Tennessee’s central location and proximity to major shipping networks, major rubber and tire entities have set up massive operations.
• Bridgestone Americas (Nashville): Corporate headquarters in downtown Nashville, home to key business units and broader mobility-related operations.
• Nokian Tyres (Dayton): Operates a major East Tennessee factory producing passenger-car and light-truck tires.
• Hankook Tire (Clarksville): Operates a major manufacturing plant in Clarksville producing passenger-car and light-truck tires, with expansions underway to add truck and bus radial tire capacity.
Corporate Headquarters
Tennessee houses important corporate and planning operations for the auto industry, from business logistics to product strategy and technical work.
• Bridgestone Americas (Nashville): Corporate headquarters in downtown Nashville, home to key business units and broader mobility-related operations.
• Nissan North America (Franklin): North American headquarters.
• Mitsubishi Motors North America (Franklin): U.S. headquarters in Franklin, with corporate functions including planning, sales, marketing, legal, finance and fixed operations.
Sources: Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development; Tennessee Valley Authority; company websites and annual reports.