There is a substantial automotive industry in Alabama:
Toyota has an engine plant in Huntsville,
Hynda has a plant south of Montgomery,
Mercedes Benz has a plant near Tuscaloosa,
International Harvester has a plant in Huntsville,
Honda makes mini vans in the SW part of the state,
and there is another plant in the Talledega area (forget the brand).
Chrysler had a large presence in Huntsville for a long time, beginning with the
space contracts they had, and also their automotive electronics plants.
Chrysler made the first stage of the Saturn I rocket in the 1960’s, and
Decatur now has the Delta rocket plant.