U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Office
Fact #673: May 2, 2011
U.S. Trade Balance for Transportation Vehicles
Motor vehicles, aircraft, ships, and rail locomotives are imported to and exported from the U.S. The trade balance (exports minus imports) shows that the U.S. imports more motor vehicles and parts than it exports. However, aircraft, spacecraft, and parts are exported more often than imported. Comparatively few water and rail vehicles are traded, thus the trade balance for those modes is small. Transportation vehicles make up 12% of the total of all commodities traded.
U.S. Trade Balance for Transportation Vehicles, 2009 
Supporting Information
U.S. Trade in Transportation Vehicle Commodities, 2009
(Billion U.S. dollars)
| |
Exports |
Imports |
Total Trade |
Trade
Balance |
| Motor vehicles & parts |
73.6 |
131.1 |
204.7 |
-57.5 |
| Aircraft, spacecraft, & parts |
83.0 |
18.3 |
101.3 |
64.6 |
| Ships, boats, & floating structures |
2.0 |
1.3 |
3.3 |
0.8 |
| Railway or tramway locomotives & parts |
2.2 |
1.3 |
3.5 |
1.0 |
| Total, transportation vehicle commodities |
160.8 |
151.9 |
312.8 |
8.9 |
| Total, all commodities |
1,056.9 |
1,557.9 |
2,614.8 |
-500.9 |
| Vehicle commodities share of trade |
15.2% |
9.8% |
12.0% |
1.8% |
|
Note: Total trade = exports plus imports. Trade Balance = exports minus imports.
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Pocket Guide to Transportation, 2011, Table 4-5.
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