Automotive Business Strategy

In August 2004, Governor Jennifer Granholm unveiled the Michigan Automotive Industry Economic Development/Investment Strategy, a seven-point program specifically designed to increase both automotive production and automotive R&D jobs in Michigan.

The seven-point program includes:

Business Attraction and Retention

Customized economic development incentives and business climate factors for the automotive sector resulting in increased automotive investment in the state

Workforce Skill Development

Assuring that Michigan's automotive companies has access to the skilled workforce needed to be competitive in a global economy

Foreign Direct Investment and Export Assistance

Attraction of international automotive companies to Michigan as well as assisting our companies in developing successful international business strategies

New Business Models

Develop Michigan as an international incubator for new collaborative business models that are essential to the automotive industry's future growth

Innovation

Increase and accelerate the pace of product and process innovation in Michigan automotive companies

Industry Intelligence

Position Michigan as the recognized leader of global automotive intelligence and leverage this knowledge to the advantage of the state's automotive companies

Regional Leadership

Take a leadership role in developing a regional (Great Lakes/national) economic development strategy for the auto sector

In her 2005 State of the State address, Granholm emphasized the importance of making Michigan a global economic powerhouse in the 21st century. Since January 2005 the Governor and the MEDC have announced the creation or retention of more than 32,000 jobs as a result of targeted assistance provided by the MEDC.