The U.S. manufacturing industry added 16,000 jobs in July with motor vehicle makers on top.

 

A breakdown from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that July was a strong month for manufacturing, with the vehicle making sector adding 7,200 jobs, the furniture industry adding 2,000 jobs, and the wood products industry adding 500.

 

Manufacturing boasts strong numbers for July, but still lags behind 2018 considerably. In the first seven months of 2018 162,000 jobs were added - compared to 55,000 so far in 2019.

 

Total U.S. manufacturing jobs total 12.86 million. The industry peaked in 1979 when jobs numbered 19.6 million. The industry low was in February 2010 when jobs numbered 11.45 million.

 

Total non-farm employment (the compiled name for goods, construction, and manufacturing companies but excluding farmers) rose 164,000 this month. Total unemployment remains close to a 50-year low at 3.7 percent.

 

Various analysts say the massive motor vehicle job surge is being driven by the demand for trucks.