The World Makes an Automobile

A global perspective on the manufacture of an automobile.

Created on behalf of the Automobile Manufacturer’s Association, this map of the world shows the myriad of resources required to create a modern vehicle in the 1960’s. Iron, steel, paint, textiles, rubber and petroleum, among other commodities, are sourced from numerous locations around the globe. Major components are described in detail in the upper and lower borders, while 63 separate symbols on the map, ranging from Abrasives to Zirconium, are labeled on the left hand side. A helpful diagram in the lower right visualizes the use of many of these elements are used in the construction of an automobile.

While seemingly objective, it’s easy to envision the circumstances where this map could be a powerful tool – luring foreign investment, government lobbying efforts, and building corporate partnerships, to name a few.