NAICS 336 - Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

Industries in the Transportation Equipment Manufacturing subsector produce equipment for transporting people and goods. Transportation equipment is a type of machinery. An entire subsector is devoted to this activity because of the significance of its economic size in all three North American countries.

Establishments in this subsector utilize production processes similar to those of other machinery manufacturing establishments—bending, forming, welding, machining, and assembling metal or plastic parts into components and finished products. However, the assembly of components and subassemblies and their further assembly into finished vehicles tends to be a more common production process in this subsector than in the Machinery Manufacturing subsector.

NAICS has industry groups for the manufacture of equipment for each mode of transport—road, rail, air, and water. Parts for motor vehicles warrant a separate industry group because of their importance and because they require less assembly than complete vehicles.

Land use motor vehicle equipment not designed for highway operation (e.g., agricultural equipment, construction equipment, and material handling equipment) is classified in the appropriate NAICS subsector based on the type and use of the equipment.

• Encompasses manufacturing of transportation equipment for road, rail, air, and water modes.
• Includes production of complete vehicles as well as components and subassemblies.
• Utilizes metal forming, welding, machining, and assembly manufacturing processes.
• Separates motor vehicle parts manufacturing due to distinct assembly requirements.
• Excludes land-use equipment not designed for highway operation, classified elsewhere.
• Reflects significant economic scale across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

• Manufacturing of passenger and commercial motor vehicles and their components.
• Production of aerospace vehicles including airplanes, helicopters, and spacecraft.
• Fabrication of rail transportation equipment such as locomotives and freight cars.
• Construction of marine vessels including ships, boats, and submarines.
• Assembly of vehicle subassemblies and integration into finished products.
• Welding, machining, and forming of metal and plastic parts for transportation use.
• Testing and quality assurance of transportation equipment to meet government standards.
• Design and engineering support services related to transportation equipment manufacturing.

• Motor vehicle manufacturers and parts suppliers.
• Aerospace vehicle producers and subcontractors.
• Rail equipment manufacturers specializing in locomotives and railcars.
• Marine vessel builders including shipyards and boat manufacturers.
• Specialized component fabricators for transportation equipment.
• Engineering and assembly service providers within the transportation sector.