A vehicle is just an empty shell unless it has the parts to go in it. That’s why Selma’s three automotive suppliers helped set a record in 2016 for the state in auto manufacturing.

Honda Lock-America, Seoyon E-Hwa and Lear Selma all produce parts for two of the state’s three automotive manufacturers. That means many of the 1,048,597 vehicles that were produced in Alabama last year have a little piece of Selma in them, whether it is a smart lock, interior parts or foam cushions for seats and head rests.

“They’re just as much of an integral part in the numbers as anything because without those parts, that couldn’t be done,” said Wayne Vardaman, executive director of the Selma and Dallas County Economic Develop Authority. “To make cars you have to have supplies.”

The workers at those three plants should be proud of that. Breaking a record is never easy.

The first time the industry produced one million vehicles in Alabama was 2015, and they helped make it two years in a row on top of breaking the previous record.

The three plants in Selma supply parts to Honda and Hyundai. Honda produced 369,576 vehicles, and Hyundai produced 379,021 vehicles.

The same cars that have parts in them from Selma can be seen driving down highways all over the United States.

Selma’s plants should also be proud of being one of if not the biggest workforces in Selma and Dallas County.

The three plants combined employ an estimated 1,000 people. Not only do the plants mean a lot to Alabama’s automotive industry, but they also mean a lot to the community and the people that work there.