Mobility Report: MICHauto Takes Traverse City for Critical Industry Conversations at 2019 CAR MBS

MICHauto Takes Traverse City for Critical Industry Conversations at 2019 CAR MBS

Earlier this month, MICHauto gathered more than 110 automotive stakeholders, members of Michigan’s Auto Caucus, investors, and entrepreneurs for its annual MICHauto By the Bay reception ahead of the 2019 Center for Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars (CAR MBS) in Traverse City.

At the event, MICHauto released a full study on the automotive industry’s economic contribution to Michigan. Among its key findings were the industry’s support of 712,000 jobs and the overall contribution of $225 billion to Michigan’s economy.

“The opportunity or challenge is we need more people in our industry. We need people to think of a company—whether it be Ford or BorgWarner or anybody else—as a high-tech global growth industry,” said Glenn Stevens, executive director of MICHauto and vice president of automotive and mobility initiatives for the Detroit Regional Chamber. “That’s our focus right now…talent perception and driving more people into the industry.”

CAR MBS offered the MICHauto team the opportunity to connect with industry stakeholders from across the state and served as a productive platform to discuss the industry’s top issues and developments. Timely discussions on the profitability of electric vehicles, implications of tariffs on international trade, and the importance of fostering the next generation of industry talent occurred over the four days.

Listen: Sen. Mallory McMorrow on Moving the Automotive Industry Forward

Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) sat down with Driven’s Claire Charlton to discuss her role as a co-chair of the Michigan Automotive Caucus, what she’s learned as the owner of a plug-in electric vehicle, and how she’s working to blanket the state with a robust EV charging infrastructure. Listen here.

Promote Careers in Automotive and Mobility to Students with Discover Auto

As part of its talent attraction efforts, MICHauto has partnered with Project Lead The Way to identify and engage high school students within the Detroit region. Through the coordination of guided tours of automotive and mobility centers, the Discover Auto series will provide investors an opportunity to educate students on the industry, its technology, and promote the automotive and mobility industry as an innovative and viable career path. For companies interested in hosting, please contact Jenny Orletski-Dehne at jorletski@detroitchamber.com.

Welcome New Investor

MICHauto’s work is made possible through the investment of companies and organizations across the state. View a complete list of investors.