Society of Automotive Analysts

ACG Detroit -- 2026 Automotive Update
2026-01-13 16:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Cambria Hotel Detroit Downtown, 600 West Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI, 48226, United States
Join ACG Detroit & the Society of Automotive Analysts for an in-depth look at the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of the automotive industry. As one of Michigan’s most influential sectors, automotive continues to undergo rapid transformation—from supply chain shifts and electrification to investment strategies and technological innovation.
This program will bring together leading voices from the automotive industry to share insights on market dynamics, deal flow, operational considerations, and what’s ahead for OEMs, suppliers, and investors. Attendees will gain a valuable perspective to help navigate the evolving landscape and make informed decisions in the year ahead.
Whether you work directly in automotive or support the companies that drive the industry forward, this event offers a strong opportunity to learn, connect, and engage with fellow professionals across the region.
Speakers include:

Mike Wall

S&P Global
Executive Director, Automotive Analysis

Heather M. Schroder

Robert Bosch LLC
Vice President – Legal

Steven Wybo
Riveron
Restructuring & Turnaround Practice Co-Leader

Jeff Gilbert (Moderator)

WWJ Newsradio 950
Automotive Reporter

Members $125 • Non-members $175

39th Annual Automotive Outlook Conference
2026-01-29 07:30 - 12:00 | FANUC AMERICA, 3900 W. Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills, MI, 48309, United States
Hosted by:

Join us at the upcoming premier automotive outlook conference hosted by the SAA to gain valuable insights into the future of the automotive industry in 2026 and beyond. Discover the latest updates and forecasts on the economy, demand outlook and sales dynamics, vehicle production, electrification, and autonomous vehicles.
Don’t miss the exclusive opportunity to tour FANUC America’s cutting-edge facilities. Register now to secure your spot!
Speakers include:
EV pivot with regulations and EV program update
Eric Anderson
Associate Director, Powertrain Forecasting – The Americas
S&P Global Mobility

What is affordable innovation these days?
Mark Barrott
Partner, Management Consulting — Strategy & Operations
Plante Moran

Outlook for US demand and production
David Oakley
Manager, Americas Vehicle Sales Forecasts
GlobalData

Wall Street Outlook
Colin Langan
Automotive & Mobility Analyst
Wells Fargo

Consumer Value: Relationships Under Duress
KC Boyce
Vice President/Sector Lead, Powertrain Innovation & Energy Transformation
Escalent

The Economist’s View
Charles Chesbrough
Senior Economist and Senior Director of Industry Insights
Cox Automotive

New Trends in Automotive Automation
Dave Astrauckas
General Manager
FANUC America

Software Defined Mobility: The Road Ahead
Mufaddel Dahodwala
Client Solutions Director, Researcher & Innovator
KPIT

Q&A Moderator:
Jamie Butters
Automotive Journalist

$99 for SAA members; $199 for non-members (includes one-year SAA membership valued at $150)

Unlock the Latest Consumer Behavior Trends: Essential Ipsos Global Trends Toolkit for SAA (Webinar)
2026-02-25 12:00 - 13:30
Global optimism plummeted in 2025: Only 59% of consumers remain optimistic about themselves and their families, and just 45% about their communities.
Join SAA and Ipsos for a discussion of insights taken from the ninth annual Ipsos Global Trends report: ‘The Uneasy Decade.‘
This report captures the mid-decade shift, drawing on data from 43 global markets and insights from over 5 million data points.

Jennifer Bender
Ipsos Global Head of Trends & Foresight
Associate Partner, Ipsos Strategy3

There is no cost to attend this event, but registration is required.

Coffee Break: Affordability in Auto -- Smarter Ways to Innovate
2026-03-11 11:00 - 11:15
Innovation looks different in today’s affordability‑driven market. Join the experts from Plante Moran on March 11 for a brief discussion on how automotive suppliers are rethinking product and operational innovation to stay competitive amid ongoing cost pressures. We’ll share where innovation is creating value today and what it means for supplier strategy.

What are SAA Coffee Breaks?
We know your time is limited and valuable. SAA’s Coffee Breaks are 15-minute presentations on timely and relevant topics. SAA Coffee Breaks are free and open to the industry.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

13th Annual Automotive Recalls Summit
2026-04-28 12:30 - 15:30 | Hyatt House, 30955 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, MI, 48073, United States
Attend In-Person or Via Zoom
Held in partnership with:

The automotive industry is at a turning point.
In 2025, a near-record-breaking 406 unique light vehicle recall campaigns were reported as the trajectory of filed campaigns continues its ten-year ascent. The data suggests that a by-product of continued rapid light vehicle innovation is an increased number of recalls. But it’s not just the numbers that tell the story. The nature of recalls is shifting dramatically: more mid-sized campaigns and increased tail risk, i.e., the time it takes defects to manifest, stood out in 2025. As the automotive landscape rapidly evolves, connectivity and vehicle sophistication are rewriting the rules of defect detection and response.
The question isn’t just how many recalls — it’s what comes next.
The 13th Annual Automotive Recalls Summit is where the industry comes for answers.
This is the must-attend event for anyone navigating the high-stakes world of automotive safety, compliance, and quality. Expect bold conversations, hard data, and actionable insights across the issues defining recalls today:

🔍 Recall trends decoded — The latest on recall size, type, and scope, and what the numbers are really telling us.
📈 What’s fueling the surge — A deep dive into the industry forces driving elevated recall activity.
⚠️ Sensors, ADAS & the road to autonomy — Why vehicle sensors are failing and what that means for the future of automated driving.
🔩 Aftermarket & counterfeits — The growing threat of aftermarket recalls and counterfeit parts you can’t afford to ignore.
⚖️ The decision to recall — Exploring the data, benchmarks, and judgment calls behind one of the most consequential, and costly, decisions in the industry.
💰 The cost of getting it wrong — The latest on warranty and recall costs, and how leading companies are fighting back.

Agenda:
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm — Registration and Networking
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm — Stout Presentation
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm — Networking and Discussion with Stout team
Stout Speakers:

Raymond Roth, Director, Automotive Recall Practice Leader
Robert Levine, Managing Director

Special Guests:

Varun Jain, Counsel, K&L Gates
Mark Chutkow, Member, Dykema
Jay Logel, Senior Counsel, Dykema
Von Lyndsey, President, Lindsey Research Services

Sponsored by:

This event is free for SAA members; $49 for non-members

YPN Networking Event: Manufacturing, Mobility & Innovation at Newlab Detroit
2026-04-28 14:30 - 18:00 | Newlab, 2050 15th St., Detroit, MI, 48216, United States
Held in partnership with:

Enjoy a guided tour of Newlab’s state‑of‑the‑art facility, followed by a relaxed, on-site happy hour to connect with peers across the manufacturing and automotive community.
Agenda:

2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Arrival & Networking
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Guided Newlab Detroit Tour
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Onsite Networking Happy Hour

Thanks to our sponsor:

Event sponsor:

There is no cost to attend for YPN members, but registration is required.

Not a YPN member? Join today for free by clicking here.

SAA Motoring Minds Featuring Tu Le from the Beijing Auto Show
2026-04-29 09:00 - 09:30
Join SAA Motoring Minds, a free series for automotive professionals and enthusiasts. Each session explores the latest industry trends and innovations with expert-led discussions. This is a Zoom event, but a recording will be available.
Motoring Minds is hosted by Adam Bernard, SAA President and Founder of AutoPerspectives (Adam Bernard | LinkedIn). The first episode will feature Tu Le, live from the Beijing Auto Show, who will be talking about the people, products, and brands making the biggest buzz at the show.
Adam’s special guest:
Tu Le
Managing Director
Sino Auto Insights
Tu Le | LinkedIn

Attendance is free, but please let us know you are joining us.

17th Annual Purchasing Summit
2026-05-19 08:00 - 12:15 | Marelli, 26555 Northwestern Highway,, Southfield, MI, 48033, United States
Hosted by:

Held in partnership with:

The SAA, MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers, and Plante Moran are pleased to announce the 17th Annual Purchasing Summit taking place May 19 at Marelli’s Customer Experience Center in Southfield, Mich.
This long-standing industry event brings suppliers together with OEM purchasing leaders for timely insights, candid discussion and meaningful networking. The program will open with key findings from the 2026 Plante Moran North American Automotive OEM Supplier Working Relations Index® Study, offering an inside look at the current state of OEM supplier relationships across the industry.
Following the presentation, purchasing executives from participating OEMs will join a discussion on the study’s results and share perspectives on how suppliers can strengthen collaboration and navigate the evolving purchasing landscape. The program will conclude with a networking session, providing valuable opportunities for face-to-face engagement with OEM purchasing leaders and industry peers.
Featured Speakers:
Mark Barrott
Partner, Plante Moran
Vice President, Society of Automotive Analysts

Dr. Angela Johnson
Principal Management Consulting, Supplier Relations Analytics, Plante Moran

Secure your spot early as space is limited.
8 a.m. – Registration and Continental Breakfast | 8:30 a.m. – Program
Clicking “Register” will take you to the MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers website to complete registration.
