Partnership

When examining the impact of Japanese-brand automakers in the U.S. It’s natural to simply focus on the total investment figures and number of vehicles manufactured, which currently amounts to more than $60 billion in cumulative manufacturing investment and nearly100 million vehicles produced respectively. Many of these vehicles are then sold across the U.S. through a dealership network that spans every state and touches hundreds if not thousands of communities. This impact is undeniable. However, Japanese-brand automakers have long recognized that being successful in the United States requires more than an increase of investments year over year. Success also means forging meaningful partnerships within the communities where they operate, which is what Japanese-brand automakers have fully embraced. The partnerships that JAMA members have with communities extend to nearly every level of operations and across many different local initiatives and organizations economic development boards, local schools, national and international philanthropic organizations, health groups and so many more. These partnerships are what truly make Japanese-brand automakers part of the fabric of their communities, and those outlined here are just a small sampling of the incredible work they contribute to year in and year out.

The future of Japanese-brand automakers is electrified. With such a unique and exciting challenge ahead, some new partnerships have been announced. One that is having a tremendous impact at the local level is in Randolph County, North Carolina where Toyota has already broken ground on a new battery production facility, which is set to begin full operations in 2025. As part of their commitment to the area Toyota has donated $1 million to a number of local organizations to demonstrate their commitment to the community. These funds will help youth in Randolph County receive better access to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education as well as core educational tools to ensure that students are receiving a high-quality education. This is a tremendous example of how a relatively new partnership is already leading to tangible benefits for individuals in a community.

The shift to electrified vehicles is part of a larger recognition that there is a need for individuals and companies to work harder to care for our natural environment. This has naturally led to a number of compelling partnerships, but one that is particularly impactful is the longstanding partnership between the National Parks Foundation and Subaru. Over the years, Subaru has provided critical support to more than 400 National Parks in an effort to preserve important historical sites that tell the story of our nation, protect threatened species and habitat, and conduct outreach and education programs in local communities. Many Japanese-brand automakers also share the belief that this kind of stewardship is important in preserving our natural shared environment.

Education is a common theme for Japanese-brand automakers as they work tirelessly with community partners to address education gaps from kindergarten all the way up through high school and college. For instance, Honda has been a longtime supporter and partner of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through their support of the Campus All-Star Challenge, the Battle of the Bands, the United Negro College Fund, and the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship. The Mazda Foundation also works with its partners in the community to address educational needs and has teamed up with the Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation to support educators with the development of competition, education, and workforce readiness programs to increase student engagement in science, technology, engineering, math, and computer science. Specifically, the Mazda Foundation’s work helped REC set up the Factory Automation Competition in Huntsville, Alabama. This classroom-based competition asks students to design, build, and program a manufacturing workcell.

Screenshot 2023-03-27 122923Screenshot 2023-03-27 122923
Honda 2Honda 2
Mazda RECMazda REC

Partnerships are also about providing essential services to communities. Mitsubishi’s work with the Charis Health Center was part of the company’s Community Utility Vehicle (CUV) Program which is part of the larger “Small Batch Big Impact” campaign. This initiative helps to illustrate how small, localized efforts can lead to a significant impact. Through the donation of an Outlander CUV the health center was able to travel nearly 15,000 miles and reach nearly 3,000 families to deliver essential COVID and flu vaccines.

Finally, it is worth noting that these partnerships are often the product of years of collaboration as is the case with Nissan and Habitat for Humanity. While Nissan has participated in a number of home builds over the course of their 18-year partnership, they recently deepened their commitment with an $800,000 donation. Julie Laird Davis, Vice President of Corporate and Cause Marketing Partnerships at Habitat for Humanity International said of their long relationship, “The broad support Nissan has provided over the years – from financial contributions to product donations – has played a significant role in our efforts to build homes alongside families and create thriving communities. We are proud to partner with Nissan and look forward to helping even more families build affordable and sustainable housing around the world.”

MMNA Charis Vehicle Press Release - Image APPROVED-1200x857-1200x857MMNA Charis Vehicle Press Release - Image APPROVED-1200x857-1200x857
Nissan partners with Habitat for Humanity - 01Nissan partners with Habitat for Humanity - 01

Partnership can mean a lot of things depending on the perspective. But there is no denying that Japanese-brand automakers have taken every facet of its meaning to heart. It seems fitting too that in so many ways the story of Japanese-brand automakers’ increased  presence and partnership with and within their local communities reflects how over the years the United States and Japan have grown to be excellent friends, allies, and partners. These investments have certainly played a role in that story and demonstrate the importance of partnership. 

Click through the galary below to see just a few of the other amazing partnerships with our members.