October 22, 2020 – Advocacy News
Governor Whitmer today announced key appointments to the Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification. The Council’s charge, among many things, is to address how the state can better align its’ automotive and transportation related assets as the next generation of mobility continues to evolve.
Estimates show Michigan is poised to gain potentially hundreds of thousands of jobs and lead in future mobility; should market-driven policies be put into place to support continued investment. Beyond having the highest concentration of automotive-related engineers in the state, Michigan is home to 97 of the 100 largest automotive suppliers in the country. The state has also made recent investments to support the transition towards the next generation of mobility through its creation of the American Center for Mobility as well as the development of smart corridors where autonomous and connected vehicle technologies can be tested in real-world scenarios.
Of the appointments made to the council, the following organizations are represented, many of which are Michigan Chamber members: General Motors, FCA, Ford, Toyota, Waymo, Energy Innovation Business Council, United Auto Workers, Rivian Automotive, U of M and Michigan State University.
Additionally, four legislative co-chairs were also announced that will give the legislature a voice in the Council’s work. Among them are Senators Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) and Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) and Representatives Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) and Jim Lilly (R-Grand Haven).
As the Michigan Chamber works to launch its’ own Mobility Task Force within the Energy and Environment Committee, this news is most welcome as the state continues to work with industry to understand the transportation needs of the future. If you are interested in joining the Chamber’s Mobility Task Force or have additional questions, please contact Mike Alaimo at malaimo@michamber.com