The U.S. Government and governments of many countries haves sought to encourage development and innovation in the automobile industry for over a century. These governments have also had to influence the design of cars for environmental and public safety reasons. The companies producing these cars have become so important to the national economy that the U.S. Government has periodically had to financially intervene to save these companies from bankruptcy. Financially troubled auto industries in other countries have also periodically requested financial intervention for their financial survival. Emerging technological developments such as self-driving cars and attending controversies over technological innovations mean the U.S. and other national governments have an ongoing interest in developments affecting this industry and their impact on consumers and public safety.
Purdue Libraries have numerous resources examining governmental policies affecting the auto industry historically, contemporarily, and in the future. Tangible format versions of these are in the HSSE, PMEL,, and WALC Libraries. Most of these resources are also available electronically.
Useful journal article databases include:
Subject searches you can use to find book on government interaction with the auto industry and car related topics include:
