This book investigates the spatial and structural transformation of the United States automobile manufacturing sector in response to global market shifts and technological advancements. Author James M. Rubenstein, a recognized scholar in industrial geography, utilizes a combination of archival research and primary source interviews with industry executives to construct his analysis. He argues that the industry's traditional geographic concentration has been fundamentally altered by decentralization, labor market changes, and the integration of global supply chains. The text provides a systematic framework for understanding how production geography dictates economic viability in the modern era.

Experts in industrial geography and economics frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the spatial evolution of the American automotive sector. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous, data-driven look at the industry's structural changes.