3M Automotive Frequently Asked Questions

3M was formed in 1902, and the company's first automotive industry sale came in 1915 with the revolutionary 3M™ Wetordry™ Abrasive. This was followed by masking tapes in 1926, which helped paint shops achieve razor-sharp two-tone paint jobs. Since then, 3M has introduced dozens of other innovative automotive products.

3M Automotive manufactures and markets more than 1,000 different products that go in or on vehicles or are used in manufacturing. These products are used in the body, paint shop, chassis, powertrain, exterior and interior of vehicles. See the 3M Automotive Product Catalog for an extensive list of solutions for your design, engineering and manufacturing challenges.

With global sales of more than $30 billion, 3M Company is a transnational organization and operates in over 65 countries around the globe, with 3M products being sold in more than 200 countries.

3M Automotive's products and services are available around the world through a network of regional sales and technical service centers located wherever vehicles are manufactured.

3M Automotive's products are manufactured in more than 30 plants around the world. Research and development activities are performed in three dedicated research facilities in the US, Germany and Japan.

Please see the links at 3M Automotive Global Centers.

"Innovative." 3M is often ranked among the most innovative companies in the world. In our 114-year history, we have mastered dozens of complex core technologies. These technologies are shared throughout 3M, resulting in unique solutions to customer challenges across many industries.

We help our automotive customers by listening to the tough challenges they face and using our technology to create new, and often groundbreaking, solutions.

Customers in the U.S. can call 734-953-9300 to reach our team at the Automotive Innovation Center (AIC) in Livonia, Michigan.

For customers outside the U.S., visit the 3M Automotive Global Centers page to locate your local center, or send us an email.