Vehicle Production: Production and Sales Rise Sharply

• Global passenger car production rose to 52.1 million in 2007, up from 49.1 million the previous year.
• Japan produced the most vehicles in 2007, 11 million, closely followed by the United States.
• The world's fleet of passenger vehicles is now an estimated 622 million, up from a mere 53 million in 1950.

Car production comes with a heavy cost. Road transport accounts for 74% of the world's total transport-related carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. And despite technological improvements, just 250,000 of the world's 8.4 million auto manufacturing jobs can be considered any shade of "green." But several countries, such as Thailand, are introducing innovative ways to encourage efficient vehicle production.

Read on for essential statistics on vehicle production, including job figures, and an analysis of national efficient vehicle legislation.

Read the Vital Signs Update: Vehicle Production Rises, But Few Cars Are "Green"