MichAuto’s Executive Director Warns the Industry: We Can Either Lead the Industry Transition or Fall Behind
MichAuto continues to be at the forefront of the industry transition, helping its investors and the automotive and mobility industry navigate the rapid changes underway. In an article featured in Crain’s Detroit Business, MichAuto’s Executive Director and the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Chief Automotive and Innovation Officer, Glenn Stevens Jr., outlines the need to embrace innovation and what’s at stake for Michigan if the industry fails to do so.
Read the full article below.
Crain’s Business Detroit
Oct. 6, 2025
Glenn Stevens Jr.
Today, our automotive industry is undergoing unprecedented change. It has been hampered by tariffs, is navigating fuel economy standard changes and vehicle propulsion and software systems are under constant forces of change. Meanwhile, the Chinese industry is scaling and advancing at an astounding rate as it challenges us as the global leader in technology-intensive industries.
The change and transformation of our industry is all around us – and it serves as a warning: Michigan cannot expect to win the future of the industry through legacy alone.
In an era defined by rapid automation, the digital economy, shifts in global supply chains and trade war gamesmanship, Michigan’s path forward demands a bold, cohesive agenda that positions our businesses and workers to innovate and lead the industry over the long term.
Surrendering the EV Segment Poses a Grave Danger
It is past time that elected leaders put aside the partisan fights over electric vehicles. EVs are neither a cure-all for climate change nor a job-killing environmentalist conspiracy. While EVs are not for everyone, they do appeal to a broad audience that will continue to grow. Regardless of the fact that ICE, or internal combustion engines, are not disappearing any time soon, the reluctance to compete in the EV segment comes with huge risk as the market demand grows, and will only benefit China.
To avoid this fate, our industry – the Detroit Three, other American-based OEMs, and suppliers – must continue to make prudent investments in their EV product lines and create charismatic and affordable hybrids and fuel-efficient ICE models. And industry, in partnership with government, must establish greater control over battery technology, rare earth metals and critical minerals to wrest from the Chinese the complete dominance over this supply chain.
Meeting Intention With Strategic Investment
To bolster Michigan’s innovation economy and build on our traditional manufacturing prowess, the state needs to direct more resources to startups and technology development. A positive step included establishing the state’s R&D Tax Credit and first-ever Innovation Fund.
However, because talent is the most critical driver of innovation, we must also continue creating awareness and career paths for the variety of well-paid and fulfilling skilled trades, engineering and computer science careers in the industry, and equip students for those careers. To this end, MichAuto is working with government, industry and academia to ensure the talent pipeline of K-12 students, as well as industry veterans, have the education and training to support the pace of innovation.
