Michigan Business Beat | Glenn Stevens Jr., MichAuto Policy, Automobility Day at the Capitol 2026+++

Chris Holman welcomes back Glenn Stevens, Jr., Executive Director of MichAuto and the Chief Automotive and Innovation Officer at the Detroit Regional Chamber, Detroit, MI. Welcome back, Glenn. A popular day in your annual cycle was earlier this week, recap how Automobility Day at the Capitol went? What are the top priorities emerging from the Automobility Policy Roadmap that business leaders should be preparing for now? How can Michigan’s automotive companies better align with state policymakers to stay competitive during this election cycle? What specific policy changes would have the greatest immediate impact on growth and investment in Michigan’s mobility sector? How are industry leaders balancing innovation—like EVs and mobility tech—with current economic and regulatory pressures? What does being named Legislator of the Year signal to businesses about the state’s future direction on automotive policy? (and who got that honor this year)? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ On April 21, MichAuto hosted its annual Automobility Day at the Capitol, gathering over twenty MichAuto investor companies in Lansing to meet with legislators and connect Michigan’s signature industry with policymakers. Throughout the day, conversations centered on the rapid technological change in the industry, fluctuating trade policies, uncertainty around EV adoption and infrastructure, the debate over data center proliferation in the state, and a growing skills gap in the workforce. Against this backdrop, discussions highlighted the urgency of MichAuto’s Automobility Policy Roadmap to keep Michigan at the forefront of automotive and mobility innovation. The conversations reinforced a shared responsibility among MichAuto, its investors, and policymakers to collaborate on policy solutions and guide the roadmap’s execution over the next decade. Share your input to inform the Policy Roadmap. 2026 Automobility Day at the Capitol 2026 Legislator of the Year MichAuto also honored Sen. John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) as its 2026 Legislator of the Year, which recognizes a state representative or senator who has made significant contributions to policy that has benefited Michigan’s signature industry, while seeking bipartisan consensus. As someone who grew up in the automotive industry and whose father worked at Ford Motor Company, Damoose appreciated every second he got to hear about his dad’s day at work, which ultimately laid the foundation for where he is today. Featured Web (18) Reflecting on the Michigan Senate’s approval of a $3.5 billion Ford investment to build a battery plant in Marshall, Damoose said, “There is no way in the world I was going to vote against this. This is our industry. This is a quintessential American industry, but it’s a quintessential Michigan industry.” He added that supporting this initiative honored his father’s legacy at Ford and the industry that shaped Michigan. Key Priorities Discussed Michigan must diversify by building on its core automotive strength, not by turning its back on the industry it created. Michigan needs a long‑term, bipartisan economic development strategy, supported by transparent, reliable, and accessible incentives for startups, suppliers, OEMs, and beyond, providing certainty across political cycles. Dense proximity between OEMs and suppliers is a strategic advantage, reducing risk and cost while accelerating innovation and reinforcing the resilience of Michigan’s automotive ecosystem. A strong business climate should benefit the entire economy, and companies must view investment through this lens, not solely individual bottom lines.