Yeah, I saw some things like that. I couldn't find the original sources, but CPI dollars doesn't seem like the right way to view it. Instead, I think the right approach would be versus GDP, or versus dollar value of manufactured goods consumed.
It's also not clear whether that number is gross manufacturing output or net of imported parts. With cars, for example, a lot of what is nominally made here is put together out of imported pieces.
I spent a while looking for useful numbers, but couldn't find anything.
1) Manufacturing output is dropping relative to GDP, but that isn't a bad thing; it just means that GDP in services is surging. The versus consumed is basically the trade deficit. I would accept per capita manufacturing output over time as a more fair comparison though.
Looking at the data, the US is still the biggest in the world by these metrics. Per capita it is easily in the top 5 large countries. Maybe 20% below Germany and Japan
It's also not clear whether that number is gross manufacturing output or net of imported parts. With cars, for example, a lot of what is nominally made here is put together out of imported pieces.
I spent a while looking for useful numbers, but couldn't find anything.