For more than 100 years, large tracts of land have been used by U.S. automotive manufacturers (USAM) for the production of vehicles. Over the last 20 years, the amount of land required by the industry has diminished dramatically for a variety of reasons, including more efficient production and reduction in consumer demand as automakers face a surplus of domestic manufacturing capacity.

Instead of allowing these often intensely used properties to become abandoned, underutilized and potentially hazardous brownfields, there is a growing recognition for stewardship of these properties, both through divestiture and redevelopment for alternative uses. Although challenged by globalization of the industry and changes in public demand, perception and regulations, automakers have devoted resources to the proper decommissioning and redevelopment of these properties. It is absolutely critical to U.S. automakers that this redevelopment is accomplished efficiently while encompassing the three principles of sustainability: economic viability, environmental responsibility and social responsibility. This results in fewer abandoned brownfields that reflect negatively on our nation’s automotive legacy. ...

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