At The 2026 Detroit Auto Show, I Talked About Michigan’s Future

By Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Michigan Chronicle
https://michiganchronicle.com/

I was excited to be back at the Detroit Auto Show, the best auto show in the world, right in the beating heart of the American auto industry. This was my last auto show as governor, and I took the opportunity to talk about where we are, where we’re headed, and what it will take to keep Michigan the #1 auto state. In the face of global challenges from tariffs and China, we must foster innovation, work with our friends, and compete with our adversaries. 

Since I spoke at the auto show last year, both the American and global economy have been rocked by change. Costs are up. Uncertainty is everywhere. Perhaps no industry has been more impacted than the auto industry.  

American manufacturing has contracted for 9 straight months, leading to job losses and production cuts. Every industry that relies on a skilled, hands-on workforce is facing shortages. We need a change. Without a clear end goal, tariffs hurt us more than our adversaries. We deserve a strategic national trade policy that encourages competition, fosters innovation, creates jobs, and lower costs.  

In spite of all these challenges, Michigan has had some big wins too. Last year, Michiganders built two million vehicles. Stellantis and Ford announced major investments and GM increased production of SUVs and light-duty trucks. This year, Ford plans to launch 12 Ford Future Builders Labs in Detroit and Battle Creek schools, connecting thousands of students with careers in engineering, technology, and the trades.  

We passed a balanced bipartisan budget and delivered a long-term fix for state and local roads. Even in a challenging year, Michigan remains number one for auto manufacturing, R&D, and workforce development. In 2026, I’ll stay focused on setting our auto industry up for success.  

To do that, we have to be clear-eyed about who we’re up against: China. China’s ultimate goal is dominating every part of the auto manufacturing process.  

They already mine or process most of the critical minerals needed to build vehicles, produce three times as many cars as the U.S., and have invested more than $230 billion into electric vehicles and batteries since 2009. They’ve captured the market share almost everywhere except the United States and Canada. It’s tempting to see the future as zero-sum. But to win, we have to double down on our strengths: innovation and collaboration. 

Innovation has always been Michigan’s calling card. Michigan is still home to some of the most exciting automotive research happening anywhere in the world, the highest density of engineering talent, and the highest concentration of auto suppliers.  

We also continue to invest in research and development, even as federal R&D funding faces deep cuts. At the auto show, we built on that legacy with a brand-new executive directive to explore geologic hydrogen. With it, we can lead the production of a new source of clean, reliable energy that could create jobs, lower costs, and reduce our reliance on foreign oil.  

The auto industry also depends on collaboration. Every Michigan-made car you see on the road or even the one you drove in today is a miracle of teamwork.  

But this system only works if and when we are a good partner to our allies. When we fight our neighbors, we serve China the North American auto ecosystem on a silver platter. The choice before us is simple: do we want to win together or lose alone? Compromise is hard. Collaboration takes work. But that’s how Michigan and the United States have always moved forward.  

This year, I’ll keep working to win with our allies and compete for good-paying jobs. Together we can grow Michigan’s economy, create jobs, invest in our auto industry and build a bright future for our state’s most iconic industry.