Industry Insights into the Future Mobility Technology Study

• The Detroit Regional Partnership study projected significant job growth in the BEV sector, with potential increases in both automaker and supplier employment in Michigan.
• Additionally, software-defined vehicles, cybersecurity, and over-the-air updates can enhance the Detroit Region’s competitiveness in various industries.
• The Region’s readiness to host these technologies is crucial for capturing these job opportunities.

On Feb. 19, MichAuto hosted Bernard Swiecki, the Detroit Regional Partnership’s (DRP) Vice President of Mobility and Research, to reveal key findings from the Future Mobility Technology study, which analyzed mobility technologies that are expected to thrive over the next 5-7 years.

This study is part of the work being done at the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM), a program within the DRP to help the Region transition to future mobility sectors, including automation and software expertise, not just electrification.

Swiecki discussed global electrification trends from July 2024, predicting rapid growth in the U.S. He noted that actual rates might differ due to recent changes and suggested focusing on general trends rather than exact figures. Despite advancements, the U.S. lags behind Europe and China. Swiecki emphasized balancing realistic goals with the need for technological leadership.

“… we don’t want to get too far behind the lead, in terms of Europe and China, because we essentially then risk being a place where the technologies are manufactured, but the thought leadership doesn’t exist,” he said. “So, there is a sweet spot between ‘the leading edge’ and the ‘bleeding edge.’”

Swiecki noted increased North American BEV production for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles and buses, especially in the Region. U.S. light and BEVs showed modest growth overall but strong growth through 2030, with commercial trucks and buses seeing a small yet growing BEV segment.

With these findings, Swiecki said the Region can prepare to become a reliable place for emerging non-automotive mobility sectors, like construction and agriculture, aerospace, and maritime industries, to grow development and employment opportunities.

“That BEV growth … are new jobs, and they don’t necessarily come to Michigan … [or the] Detroit Region unless we are ready for them,” he said. “If we play a good host to these entities from these mobility sectors [and] if we help them set up shop in the Region, then we can be there when they go [to] really high volume, hopefully, post-2030.”

In closing, Swiecki outlined the challenges and opportunities related to adopting new mobility technologies, including capacity utilization, uncertainty in electrification trends, and the impact of presidential actions. He, again, stressed the importance of being ready for these changes and noted that DRP would track these changes in the data.