Center for Automotive Research

This morning, Alan Amici and Rich Wilkins kicked off the Automotive Customer Innovation Day in Detroit with a "State of the Industry" fireside chat at the historic David Whiney Hotel. Thank you for a great conversation and event SAP!

CAR Partners, join us next week for a live webinar with Jim Misener, Global V2X Ecosystem Lead for Qualcomm! We are at the threshold of C-V2X deployment in the US. With the USDOT's visionary National Deployment Plan in place and the FCC nearing its final report and order for the use of 5.9 GHz, a “Day 1” deployment is upon us. We will explore how various standards-driven approaches to Day 1 at 5.9 GHz can work in tandem to converge to a broad, nationally interoperable C-V2X deployment. This webinar is exclusive to CAR Partners. ACP & Affiliate members, you have been sent an email with a registration link. If you need to update your email or would like to become a partner, please contact us at partner@cargroup.org #V2X #NationalDeploymentPlan #C-V2X #Day1

This week Alan Amici discusses the pause on #lithium investments, potential #VW Germany plant closures, and the future of #hydrogen. "Is this a repeat of the EV transition which is experiencing the confluence of propulsion technology migration, infrastructure deployment, and federal regulations? I think there will be consideration of a nascent hydrogen infrastructure and a practical timeline before the industry jumps headfirst into mass marketed passenger cars powered by hydrogen fuel stacks. This won’t discourage innovators like BMW, Toyota, and others from laying the groundwork for future propulsion technology. However, a practical infrastructure plan is necessary to make the transition efficient." Read Hot Topics here: https://lnkd.in/dHpXybMu

Join SAP and CAR for a panel discussion on the electrification of commercial vehicles—covering BEV and hydrogen-powered vehicles, infrastructure needs, and new operating models. We’ll explore the impact on distribution networks, drivetrain innovations, autonomous fleets, and how tax credits and GenAI are driving growth in light trucks, heavy equipment, and beyond. Don't miss out on key insights into the evolving landscape! Register and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gBVG5KaH

Key takeaways from the EV Supply Chain Summit panel on ensuring resilience in the automotive supply chain, expertly moderated by Dave Schwietert from Alliance for Automotive Innovation: • Rachel McCleery (U.S. Department of the Treasury): Discussed the IRA advanced manufacturing tax credits that help businesses reduce investment costs for domestic advanced manufacturing. These credits are stackable and transferable, combining federal and state incentives for maximum impact. • Jonathan Smith (Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO): Highlighted strategies to boost Michigan’s automotive supply chain resilience, including the Community Economic Transition Office at LEO and legislation ensuring the auto and utility sectors benefit from the clean energy transition along with small and medium-sized suppliers. • David W. Paterson (Ontario’s representative in Washington, DC): Emphasized the strong US-Canada partnerships in battery materials processing and component manufacturing. He also pointed out the need to monitor new automotive supplier entrants to the US via Canada and highlighted Canada’s focus on workforce development to attract battery investors and enhance supply chain strength.

2During a power lunch at #MBS24, Jennifer Newman and Amie Lindaas of Cars.com shared compelling insights on how Gen-Z is redrawing the roadmap for car buying: Over the past few years, what was once a niche segment has become a mainstream choice for many consumers. Demand for EVs has surged by an incredible 930% in the last five years, with supply growing by 825%. However, this growth has also led to a 56% increase in prices. Gen Z stands out as the generation most likely to consider buying an EV, citing “not paying for gas” as the biggest draw—especially for a cash-strapped generation that is just starting to enter the workforce.

Panasonic Energy is committed to building an American supply chain, with their Nevada plant and upcoming Kansas plant leading the way. As Allan Swan, President of Panasonic Energy of North America, emphasized in his keynote, “We have a target, a mission, to have 50% of our suppliers based in North America.” This mission is rooted in a broader commitment to sustainability. When it comes to choosing partners, whether suppliers or customers, they should align with those who share their philosophy on CO2 reduction and sustainability. As Allan stated, “If they have that same philosophy, we’ll work with them. If they don’t, we won’t.” This highlights a changing dynamic within the automotive industry, especially tied to the EV transition – the growing importance of ESG in business strategy where sustainability may be more important than cost.

During the Workforce Development session at #MBS24, Dr. Robert McMahan from Kettering asked how we can rethink our approach to talent acquisition. Key takeaways included: • Experiential learning as a magnet for engineering students (Judd Herzer, MSU). • Industry-education collaboration to align talent development with evolving needs (David Johnson, Nissan Motor Corporation) • Supporting SMEs and using work-based learning to attract young talent (Frederick Cartwright, Conexus) • Removing barriers and increasing access to training to build a stronger workforce (Jonathan Smith, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO)) The message is clear: talent attraction, retention, and workforce resilience are vital to the industry's future.

During the Media's View on the Industry's Challenges session at #MBS 24, panelists were asked what makes a story interesting for your publication. Jamie Butters of Automotive News answered, "We try to have a story mix around Making, Selling, and Thinking. Making meaning manufacturing, automakers, and suppliers. Selling refers to retailers and the art and science of retailing. And thinking around tech and innovation. We choose stories based on the impact to the operations of the industry because our audience is the industry.”

One of the main reasons startup/corporate relationships fail? “They just speak a different language,” said Chris Cusack of Mach49 during the Igniting the Engines of Tomorrow’s Promise session at #MBS24. Chris highlighted the crucial role of communication in building successful startup/corporate relationships. As he puts it, “You think you’re saying the same thing across the table, and then you realize you’ve left the room and both sides have totally different views on what came out of it.” Clarity on the end goal – the “North Star” – of the partnerships you build is fundamental to a successful partnership, and communication is key to achieving that.