U.S. automotive machine tool orders reach highest level since 2020

US automotive manufacturers increased their investment in metalworking machinery in September 2026, with machine tool orders reaching their highest level since July 2020, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

The increase reflects renewed investment in automotive manufacturing equipment, although demand continues to vary across different production segments. Automotive transmission manufacturers, for example, have reduced machinery orders following several months of increased investment associated with shifting production priorities from battery electric vehicles (BEVs) toward traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid powertrains.

Meanwhile, investment in motor vehicle stamping equipment has remained relatively subdued since the COVID-19 pandemic, apart from a modest increase in May 2026. AMT attributed this trend partly to automakers introducing fewer variations in vehicle body designs each year.

These developments illustrate how changing vehicle production strategies are influencing demand for metalworking equipment. For machine tool builders and automotive component suppliers, the market presents different opportunities depending on production requirements, equipment utilization, and manufacturers' investment priorities.

IMTS Boosts US Manufacturing Technology Investment

Beyond the automotive sector, US manufacturing technology orders reached a record US$1.007 billion in September 2026, increasing 38.0% from August and 101.7% compared with September 2025.

The surge included orders placed during IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, held September 14–19 in Chicago. September's order value exceeded the previous monthly record, established in December 2025, by 22.5%.

Total manufacturing technology orders reached US$5.76 billion during the first nine months of 2026, representing a 45.0% increase over the corresponding period in 2025.

September also marked the seventh consecutive month in which machinery orders exceeded US$500 million, the longest such period recorded by the USMTO program.

Contract Machine Shops and Automation Support Demand

Contract machine shops, which serve industries including automotive, aerospace, and general engineering, continued increasing their machinery investments in September.

Orders from job shops reached a new monthly record, nearly 25% above the previous peak recorded in August 2026. The number of machines ordered was also the highest since September 2014.

AMT noted that growing demand for automation has been a major factor behind rising machinery investment values. However, September's results also showed faster growth in machine unit orders relative to order values, suggesting a possible change in purchasing patterns.

If this trend continues, equipment availability and delivery times could become increasingly important considerations for manufacturers seeking additional production capacity.

Manufacturing Technology Outlook for 2027

AMT expects manufacturing technology investment to remain relatively elevated through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027, although demand is likely to vary considerably among customer industries.

For automotive manufacturers and component suppliers, investment decisions will continue to be influenced by changing powertrain strategies, production capacity requirements, and the need for efficient machining operations.

The latest figures indicate that automotive manufacturing remains an important market for metalworking technology, even as investment priorities differ across vehicle production and component manufacturing segments.