The Latest SAA Newsletter
2026 Automotive Outlook Conference Date Announced
Reserve January 29, 2026 on your calendar for SAA’s 39th Annual Automotive Outlook Conference, which will be held at FANUC America in Rochester Hills, MI. Watch your email and the SAA website for more information.
From Macro to Micro Trends — Navigating Today’s Volatility for Tomorrow’s Success
Plante Moran subject matter experts presented an insightful Coffee Break on Dec. 10 examining how suppliers are adapting as automakers scale back EV programs. Don’t fret if you missed the 15-minute briefing. Click here to watch the Coffee Break.
SAA Partners with ACG Detroit for 2026 Automotive Update
Join the ACG Detroit & the SAA on Jan. 13, 2026, 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.
Speakers include: Steven Wybo of Riveron, Mike Wall of S&P Global Mobility, and Heather M. Schroder of Robert Bosch LLC. Jeff Gilbert of WWJ Newsradio 950 will serve as the event moderator.
Click here for more information and to register.
Make Plans Today for 2026 Detroit Auto Show, January 14 – 25
The 2026 Detroit Auto Show returns to Huntington Place, January 14 – 25, with an expanded footprint, new immersive experiences, and a renewed energy that reflects the momentum of the Motor City. This year’s show highlights cutting-edge mobility technology, stunning debuts, ultra-luxury showcases, and interactive exhibits for families, industry leaders, and car enthusiasts alike.
Media and Industry Days (Jan. 14–15) will bring together national and international media, top executives, and policymakers, while Public Show Days (Jan. 17–25) offer guests an unforgettable experience across Huntington Place. From the Michigan Overland Adventure and Visit Detroit Interactive Experience to the Mobility Global Forum and the ultra-luxury Gallery, the show offers something exciting at every turn.
Detroit’s most celebrated philanthropic evening, Charity Preview, is Friday, January 16, raising millions for children’s charities across Southeast Michigan. Guests will enjoy an elegant night of community impact and entertainment, capped by a special performance from headliner Robin Thicke.
Tickets are on sale now at DetroitAutoShow.com.
Auto Trends 2025 -- Driving the Future: Innovations, Regulations, and Strategies
The automotive industry is entering another pivotal year. From turbulent market conditions and shifting global supply chains to regulatory changes and the growing importance of vehicle data and AI, companies across the sector are facing a new wave of disruption. Traditional models like just-in-time manufacturing are being re-evaluated, while challenges such as labor shortages, financial distress, and material sourcing continue to intensify. In this environment, resilience, adaptability, and foresight are more critical than ever.
To help industry leaders navigate these challenges, Foley is proud to present its Auto Trends 2025 Series — a curated collection of articles offering legal and strategic guidance on the issues that matter most to the automotive industry. Covering topics such as NHTSA updates, bankruptcy risks, talent strategy, and data monetization, this limited-run series delivers actionable insights from Foley’s Auto Team to help companies prepare for the road ahead.
Click here to learn more about the series.
Click here to subscribe to the series.
Marelli Wins SAA’s 2025 Innovations in Lightweighting Award
The SAA awarded Marelli North America with its Innovations in Lightweighting Award at the Materials Innovations Summit, held at Munro and Associates on Nov. 13. Marelli won the award for its LeanExhaust System innovation, which was developed in direct response to OEM demand for weight and volume reduction in hybrid vehicles. The system achieves an overall weight reduction of 16 kg compared to conventional exhaust systems while exceeding or matching emissions-control and noise-reduction performance.
The runner-up in the competition was Hutchinson for its innovative Flexible Cooler, which enhances the thermal regulation of EV Battery Cells. This innovation is a flexible cooler that adapts to the varying shapes and sizes of battery cells and packs. It ensures uniform cooling and prevents thermal hotspots that can degrade battery performance or compromise safety, while also offering weight savings and improved thermal regulation.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Did You Miss Foley’s Coffee Break Examining the Impact of Recent Michigan Court Decisions?
Did you miss SAA’s Coffee Break with Foley & Lardner, which provided an overview of Michigan law on requirements contracts, including conflicting interpretations at the state and federal levels, and how the Michigan Supreme Court's recent decision may reshape requirements contracts now and in the future? The 15-minute session also examined how to use these recent court decisions to inform contract negotiations. Click here to watch the session.
Despite Q4 Slowdown, 2025 New Vehicle Sales Should Top 16 Million
New light-vehicle sales in November 2025 were down year-over-year for the second month in a row. The November 2025 SAAR of 15.6 million units represents a decline of 5.5% compared to November 2024 but was a slight improvement over the October 2025 SAAR of 15.3 million units.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Trump Unveils Eased Fuel Economy Rules, Touts Boost for Affordability
President Donald Trump gave Detroit and the U.S. auto industry center stage as he announced relaxed fuel economy standards for the more than 15 million new cars and trucks sold in the country every year. The plan, if finalized, would slash fuel economy requirements through the 2031 model year.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Survey: Over Half of U.S. Vehicle Owners Say New Cars Have Too Much Technology
As new vehicles arrive on dealership lots, so too does the automotive industry’s latest technology, from touch screens to self-driving cars. But instead of embracing all the new tech, new findings from Enterprise Mobility’s second annual “On the Move” survey suggest that many drivers seek a balance.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Major Automakers Say China Poses 'Clear and Present Threat' to U.S. Auto Industry
Major automakers urged Washington to prevent Chinese government-backed automakers and battery manufacturers from opening U.S. manufacturing plants, warning the industry's future is at stake.
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Used Car Prices Climb to Highest Point in 18 Months to Nearly $25K
New data from CARFAX shows that average used car prices have climbed to their highest point in 18 months to just under $25,000. Car shoppers are now paying around $1,300 more for the average used vehicle than they would have just a year and a half ago. Notably, the price gap between new and used cars is unusually narrow for some models.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Auto Industry Navigated Challenges of Government Shutdown
The U.S. government shutdown created significant hurdles for economists and analysts who depend on timely federal data. This is especially true in the automotive sector, where understanding motor vehicle demand and supply dynamics requires up-to-date statistics from agencies like the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Click here for the rest of the article.
China Floods the World with Gasoline Cars it Can't Sell at Home
While Western nations focus on the competitive threat of Chinese EVs, a different challenge is reshaping the auto industry. Beijing's legacy automakers are saturating emerging and second-tier markets with fossil-fuel vehicles — often undercutting their foreign partners.
Click here for the rest of the article.
General Motors Makes a Harsh Decision as EVs Falter
U.S. consumers purchased 90 different EV models in the third quarter, but only nine sold more than 10,000 units. Tesla Model Y and Model 3 were top sellers, moving more than 114,000 and 53,000 vehicles, respectively, and the Chevy Equinox sold just under 25,000.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Tax Policy Perspectives
In Plante Moran’s perspectives, tax policy specialists explore the end of the government shutdown and what’s next, Section 1202 planning and entity choice, and revisit estate planning.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Auto Industry Faces 'EV Winter' Amid Policy Shifts and Supply Chain Woes
The U.S. auto industry is currently facing a myriad of obstacles that are posing a threat to the expansion of electric vehicles (EVs). Changes in policy, tariffs, and disruptions in the supply chain have automakers worried about a “winter” for EVs, compelling automakers to rethink their strategies, with a renewed focus on hybrids and gasoline vehicles.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Ford, General Motors Get Disturbing News on Car Sales
Automakers rode concerns about the threat of tariffs to a record-setting pace in the first three quarters of the year. Thanks to pressure from the White House, automakers tried their best to keep prices down, despite losing billions of dollars to taxes on imported cars and car parts.
Click here for the rest of the article.
November 2025 U.S. Auto Sales Show Little Change to Sales Conditions
November 2025 US auto sales are projected to reach 1.26 million units, according to S&P Global Mobility. This would translate to an estimated sales pace of 15.5 million units (seasonally adjusted annual rate: SAAR), aligned with the estimated October reading and maintaining the slower pace of demand for the second consecutive month.
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OBBB Boosts U.S. Manufacturing Through New Qualified Production Property Deduction
The OBBB incentivizes domestic manufacturing through a new deduction, which is applicable to qualified production property. Paired with other tax incentives, the qualified production property deduction can provide taxpayers with immediate tax deductions, as long as specific requirements are met. Plante Moran’s experts break down the new QPP deduction and planning considerations here.
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New-Vehicle Inventory Holds Steady as Industry Navigates Year-End Uncertainty
Heading into 2026, the U.S. auto industry faces a stable yet uneasy environment. Affordability will go down as one of the most-used buzzwords of the year, yet in new-vehicle sales and pricing, the story remains one of a slow, sustained upward trajectory. Even with talks of bringing more “affordable” subcompact cars to market, sales and inventory data show that it’s the large SUVs and trucks that continue to win the day.
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Drivers’ Biggest Gripes With the Auto Industry Today
The relationship between drivers and automakers has always been complicated, but lately it feels like the industry is testing our patience in new and creative ways. From ballooning vehicle sizes to subscription-based heated seats, today's car buyers are navigating a marketplace that sometimes seems more focused on profit margins than practical transportation.
Click here for the rest of the article.
