- Material Shortages: The war effort required the allocation of metals and other materials to crucial industries, such as military manufacturing and shipbuilding, leaving little for car production.
- Fuel Rationing: Fuel was scarce during the war, and there were widespread gas rationing programs in place to conserve fuel for military use and other essential services.
- Conversion of Factories: Many automakers converted their factories to produce military goods, such as tanks, airplanes, and munitions.
- Labor Shortage: Many experienced workers from the automotive industry were drafted into the armed forces, leaving fewer skilled workers to assemble cars.
- Focus on War Effort: The war effort had shifted public priorities and reduced the demand for consumer products, including automobiles, which were deemed non-essential during wartime.
In the United States, car production dropped dramatically during the war. For example, in 1941, more than 4.5 million cars were produced, but in 1942, only 200,000 cars were manufactured. The automobile industry in Europe and Asia was even more severely affected by the war. In Germany, for example, car production came to a complete halt during the war.
