The United States had attempted to remain neutral during World War II, but was forced to enter after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  America’s involvement in World War II changed the lives of millions of soldiers who shipped off to the war’s eastern and western fronts, but the war also effected Americans on the home front as well.  Throughout the country, production shifted from commercial goods to wartime necessities.  One of the most active wartime producers was the automobile industry.

On this date, February 2nd, in 1942, American automobile companies completely switched to wartime production.  The automotive effort was led by the automotive Council for War Production, which invited all companies in the automotive industry.  A total of 654 manufacturing companies joined the council.  During World War II the Automotive Council for War Production would produce $29 billion worth of motorized vehicles, tanks, engines and other important wartime products.

The wartime production of the automotive industry, and other manufacturers across America, played a pivotal role in America’s World War II success. In 1950, the Automotive Council published the book, “Freedom’s Arsenal: The Story of the Automotive Council for War Production.”