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A Call to Action for Michigan’s Signature Industry
The industry faces a unique time and set of challenges – meeting today’s consumer demands, while building the mobility solutions of tomorrow. Further, it must do all of this amid unprecedented disruption, including rapid development of new technologies, fluctuating trade policy, and nostalgic fondness for an industry that once was.
On Dec. 10, MichAuto investors, partners, and government officials came together for a critical conversation on the global forces of change and innovation impacting Michigan’s automotive and mobility industry.
A panel of experts, The Detroit News’ Daniel Howes, Center for Automotive Research’s Elizabeth Krear, Sino Auto Insights and TechTown’s Tu Le, and Stateside’s April Baer, who moderated the conversation, added candid commentary reinforcing how important taking informed action is to ensuring Michigan’s global leadership in this rapidly evolving ecosystem. Read more about what they had to say.
Also, during the event, MichAuto released the new State of Automobility report.
Behind the Report
In addition to extensive data on the automotive and mobility industry, the report identifies the forces of change shaping the industry’s future, its strengths and weaknesses, and key strategies for securing the state’s leadership while helping businesses navigate a rapidly evolving environment.
To succeed, the state must rally behind a bold, cohesive agenda rooted in embracing innovation, nimbly responding to evolving consumer and industry needs, and diversifying its legacy manufacturing expertise into AI, automation, machine learning, and other related fields.
Ready or not, it is time for Michigan to unite and innovate or be left behind in the industry it created. Read more.
MichAuto’s Glenn Stevens Jr. Appointed to Detroit Mayor-Elect Sheffield’s Transition Team
Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield’s administration continues to take shape as MichAuto’s Glenn Stevens Jr. has been appointed to the Innovation and Emerging Industries Transition Committee.
Stevens brings more than 30 years of leadership across automotive, steel, and capital equipment, along with MichAuto’s reputation as the statewide voice for automotive and mobility.
He joins the committee with MichAuto Advisory Board Chair Lisa Lunsford and Dug Song, who will serve among its co-chairs. Both Lunsford and Song also serve on the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Sky News Showcases Trade Relationship Critical to Michigan’s Automotive Industry |
How the automotive and mobility industry interacts with and depends on the trade relationship with Canada is critical in sustaining Michigan’s signature industry. Featured in a Sky News special, “The Messy Reality of Trump’s Trade War,” MichAuto’s Glenn Stevens Jr. served as the industry authority, explaining how the industry depends on Canada. Lucerne International’s Chief Executive Officer and MichAuto Advisory Board member Mary Buchzeiger, along with MichAuto investor Team 1 Plastics, were also featured in the story, further underscoring the industry’s deep ties to the U.S.-Canada trade relationship. |
| | What the Road Ahead Looks Like for Michigan’s Signature Industry |
MichAuto’s Glenn Stevens Jr. emphasized that Michigan’s future depends on how the automotive and mobility industry adapts to today’s forces of change. At the University of Michigan’s 73rd Annual Economic Outlook Conference, Stevens stressed that understanding the industry’s history is vital to navigating a landscape shaped by technology shifts, global competition, and workforce demands. Innovation and adaptability are critical to keep Michigan’s signature industry competitive and ensure long-term economic growth. |
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Why Michigan is the #1 State for Automotive and Mobility |
Did you know Michigan is the #1 state for automotive and mobility? MichAuto recently highlighted this distinction in an ad (see page 39) published in Macomb County’s Momentum magazine, underscoring the state’s leadership in the industry. As part of MichAuto’s focus on the industry transition, MichAuto is committed to sharing timely data that ensures Michigan’s signature sector is well understood. See why advocating for Michigan’s global competitiveness matters. |
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MichAuto Advocates for Extension of Critical Trade Agreement, USMCA |
From left to right: MichAuto’s Paul Corbett and Matt Blunt, President, American Automotive Policy Council |
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will undergo renegotiations in July 2026, a critical moment for Michigan’s automotive and mobility industry that depends on stable cross-border trade to remain competitive. To advocate for the agreement to be extended and ensure Michigan’s voice is heard, MichAuto’s Director of Government and Community Affairs, Paul Corbett, provided comment in Washington, D.C., on the importance of protecting the industry’s resilience and economic vitality through this process. |
| | A Welcome Change for Michigan’s Signature Industry |
President Donald Trump’s newly revised Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards offer the automotive and mobility industry greater stability and flexibility to plan, design, and build products better aligned with market realities. MichAuto’s Glenn Stevens Jr. shared why this matters in a statement released on behalf of MichAuto. |
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