Spectrum Automotive Holdings secured a national holiday recognizing the greater automotive industry, choosing Oct. 1 for the observance because that date in 1908, the first Model T was produced from Henry Ford's now famous assembly line. The company says the new production technology cut the time to build a vehicle from 12 hours to 93 minutes.

The company describes how and why it pursued the national industry holiday and what auto dealers can do to celebrate it each year: 

What is National Automotive Industry Day? National Automotive Industry Day celebrates the automotive sector’s century-long role in shaping the U.S. economy, culture, and society. On Oct. 1, 1908, the first Ford Model T, considered by most to be the first mass-affordable automobile and the first car to come off an assembly line, was produced in a Detroit, Mich. Ford plant. By formally recognizing the industry’s historic achievements, immense economic contributions, cultural impact, and ongoing innovation, we honor the past and chart a vision for the automotive future.

How should National Automotive Industry Day be celebrated or observed? Social media promotion and celebrations across the automotive industry honoring employees, owners, trailblazers through education on the industry’s transformative nature

Why was National Automotive Industry Day created? It’s the perfect way to highlight and celebrate the automotive industry’s transformative staying power, in addition to it being a symbol of freedom and mobility. Overall, the automotive industry has provided for economic impact and job creation; cultural and social contributions, including pop culture iconography and formation of the middle class; environmental and technological innovation (green evolution and looking ahead to autonomous vehicles); educational and inspirational value (STEM, museums, innovation showcases for safety, fuel technologies, design); bridging communities and generations.