U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #314: April 5, 2004
U.S. Trade in Transportation-Related Commodities, 2002

The United States imported more than $170 billion worth of motor vehicles and parts in 2002, while only exporting $62.5 billion. Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts generated a favorable trade balance for the United States; exports were more than twice the imports. Transportation-related commodities accounted for 15.7% of all exports in 2002 and 16.4% of all imports.

Graph showing U.S. import and export values of transportation-related commodities in 2002.

Supporting Information

U.S. Trade in Transportation-Related Commodities, 2002
Commodity Exports
(billion dollars)		 Imports
(billion dollars)		 Trade balance
(billion dollars)
Motor vehicles and parts 62.5 170.5 (108)
Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts 43.9 18.0 26
Ships, boats, and floating structures 1.2 1.3 (0)
Railway or tramway locomotives and parts 1.1 1.0 0
Total transportation goods 108.7 190.9 (82)
Total all goods 693.3 1,163.5 (470)
Transportation goods share of trade 15.7% 16.4%  

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Pocket Guide to Transportation, 2004, p. 40.

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