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Data: The New Horsepower Driving the Automotive Industry

Mission-Critical Infrastructure for the Mobility Revolution

The automotive industry is transforming鈥攎oving from horsepower to data power. Connected, autonomous, and intelligent vehicles are driving unprecedented demand for robust data centers. These facilities are now the digital backbone of modern mobility, supporting everything from real-time diagnostics to AI-assisted engineering.

Autonomous vehicles, in particular, are data intensive. A single self-driving car can generate up to 19 terabytes of data per hour鈥攅quivalent to more than 6,000 HD movies. This data must be processed instantly to ensure safety and then stored for future analysis. Supporting this data flow requires robust, high-performance data centers that can handle massive volumes of information in real-time. 

Unprecedented Growth and Demand

  • U.S. data centers consumed 176 TWh of electricity in 2023 (4.4% of total) projected to reach up to 12% by 2028.
  • Global data center capacity is growing at 15% annually, but demand outpaces supply.鈥� 
  • AI technologies, such as NVIDIA鈥檚 latest Vera Rubin System architecture, require advanced cooling and more power 鈥� up to 300% more than鈥痯revious鈥痬odels.鈥� 

Detroit: Leading the Digital Transformation

States like Michigan are at the forefront, with the Detroit Regional Partnership advancing more than 25 industrial sites. Companies are investing in Verified Industrial Properties (VIPs), helping Detroit evolve from Motor City to Mobility Capital of the World. 

However, building this infrastructure comes with challenges. The global supply chain for data center components, including servers, cooling systems and construction materials,鈥痠s vulnerable to tariffs and trade policies. A 25% tariff on imported steel, for example, can significantly increase the cost and timeline of constructing data centers.鈥� 

91传媒’s Expertise in Mission-Critical Construction

As data center demands continue to surge, experienced builders of mission-critical infrastructure are playing a vital role in meeting the challenge. Constructing high-performance facilities that support continuous鈥痮perations 鈥� whether hyperscale data centers or regional edge鈥痵ites 鈥� requires precision, speed and a strong focus on sustainability. These projects鈥痓enefit鈥痜rom decades of accumulated鈥痚xpertise鈥痠n delivering complex, resilient environments that power the digital backbone of modern life.鈥� 

As AI and autonomous technologies continue to reshape the automotive landscape, data centers are no longer just supporting the industry; they鈥檙e鈥痙riving it. Behind every self-driving car is a storm of data, and behind that data stands a fortress of servers, powering the future of mobility.鈥� 

Automotive plant construction assembly line

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91传媒 91传媒
91传媒 (91传媒) is a leading professional construction services firm serving customers across the United States. Founded in 1889, 91传媒 is a 100% employee鈥憃wned company headquartered in Appleton, Wis., with 17 offices nationwide. Widely recognized as a pioneer in Lean construction, Integrated Lean Project Delivery and industrialized construction, 91传媒 delivers innovative solutions across a diverse range of markets, including healthcare, power, industrial, education and commercial sectors.