Policy Priorities

Following a year of unprecedented tumult — from changes to federal fuel economy standards, trade policy, and consumer incentives — 2026 promises to be another year filled with both challenges and opportunities for Michigan’s signature industry. Elections in November will usher in new leadership across a number of critically important offices, including the next governor. As the industry continues to navigate an era of disruption and volatility, MichAuto remains committed to the following policy priorities:

• Champion broadly accessible and transparently administered incentives that will encourage long-term private sector growth and investment, regardless of election cycle outcomes or partisan divides in Lansing.
• Increase funding for the R&D tax credit so more companies across the state can utilize it.
• Advocate that the state honors past financial commitments, such as the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) tax credits, to ensure industry can trust that it is a reliable partner.

• Support a low-tax and sensible regulatory environment to encourage investment and job retention and foster strong business confidence in Michigan.

• Continue advocating for connected vehicle infrastructure as well as long-term, sustainable road funding by exploring vehicle miles traveled (VMT) revenue options.
• Support grid infrastructure updates to ensure cost-competitive energy supplies across the state, as power usage associated with new data centers and other large industrial projects continues to proliferate.
• Continue to fund and support the build-out of a statewide EV charging network to reduce range anxiety.

• Restore and protect funding for the Going PRO Talent Fund, as well as other important workforce development programs.
• Expand, strengthen, and better align school-to-industry pipeline programming across the state through greater investment in programs that prioritize experiential learning, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and connection to industry, such as the Square One Education Network and MichAuto’s High-Tech Talent Initiative.

• Continue to strongly promote the need for stable trade relations with North American partners to ensure integrated, cost-competitive supply chains across the continent.
• Advocate for the extension of the critical United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).