The Latest SAA Newsletter
YPN Event Returns to M1 Concourse – Register Today
Registration is now open for the most popular (and fun) YPN event of the year. On August 27, YPN members will get a chance to compete and network at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, MI -- the ultimate destination for automotive enthusiasts and is Michigan’s premier motorsports and entertainment venue.
Attendees will get to compete in a laser-timed Autocross Competition, which is a precision driving challenge hosted on the facility's massive 2.5-acre asphalt "Arena." Drivers weave through a cone-marked, technical course to compete against the clock and their peers.
Space is limited for this free event. Click here to register.
Enter the Innovations in Lightweighting Awards
Entries are now open for SAA’s annual Innovations in Lightweighting Awards – an award competition that is free and easy to
enter. The deadline for entries is August 28, 2026. The winner of the award will be announced at SAA’s Material Innovations Summit on Nov. 11.
Lightweighting remains a key priority in the automotive industry as OEMs and suppliers grapple with the question of how to integrate new lightweight technologies while not adversely affecting the price of a new vehicle. Get recognition for your lightweighting innovation.
Click here for more information.
Motoring Minds to Feature Motor Trend’s Frank Markus
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. The next episode, on August 11, will feature Frank Markus, Technical Director for Motor Trends magazine. Frank and Adam will discuss the hottest and coolest automotive technologies, from super-efficient electric motors to innovative HMI solutions.
Click here for more information and to register.
Save the Date for These Upcoming Events
- September 17 – The Road Ahead (at Forvia)
- November 11 – Materials Innovation Summit (at Munro)
Did You Miss the Coffee Break That Provided a Midyear Review of the Automotive Industry?
Don’t fret if you missed SAA’s June 10th Coffee Break where Plante Moran provided a brief midyear check‑in on the automotive industry. You can watch a replay of the event now by clicking here.
Five Steps Every Manufacturer and Supply Chain Manager Should Take to Build a Scalable AI Governance Program
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms manufacturing and supply chain operations, many organizations are scaling their capabilities faster than their governance models can keep up with. This article outlines five essential steps to build a scalable AI governance program — helping manufacturers manage risk, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain control over increasingly autonomous systems. From establishing cross-functional oversight and risk-based controls to strengthening vendor accountability and designing governance for future growth, it provides a practical roadmap for organizations looking to harness AI responsibly while protecting their operations.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Conventional Hybrids Continue to be Hot Sellers
New light-vehicle sales in May reached a SAAR of 16.1 million units, an increase of 3.1% compared to May 2025. There were five weekends this May, including the Memorial Day weekend—typically a strong time for new-vehicle sales, according NADA’s monthly report. Raw volume in May totaled 1.47 million units, an increase of 4.2% year over year and up 7.0% compared to April.
Click here for the rest of the article.
AI Use Cases in Manufacturing: 5 Applications That Move the P&L
AI is helping manufacturers improve throughput, reduce downtime, stabilize labor, and lower cost of quality. Plante Moran’s experts share 5 practical artificial intelligence (AI) use cases delivering measurable operational and financial results across manufacturing operations.
Click here for the rest of the article.
June 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast
Geopolitical risk around the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz keeps oil risks elevated, with “higher for longer” pricing still a base case and possible shipping/logistics hiccups. The biggest shift is a more constrained outlook for China light-vehicle demand, translating into lower sales and production.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Stagnating Demand in Western Markets, the End of the ‘Global Car,’ and the Cost of Electrification Reset Profit Margins - the Triple Conundrum Facing Car Makers and Suppliers
The solidification of the automotive industry’s next era has begun, with the regionalization of vehicle architectures and supply chains, as well as supply uncertainty and trade risks. These present major near-term challenges for auto companies as they reset on electric vehicles, face China’s increasing dominance, and address the transition beyond software-defined vehicles (SDV) to AI-defined vehicles (AI-DV), says an industrywide analysis from AlixPartners.
Click here for the rest of the article.
A ‘Perfect Storm’ Points to a Much Smaller U.S. Auto Market by 2040
Ten years ago, a record 17.6 million cars, trucks and SUVs were sold in the U.S. Some forecasts say the country might not come close to that number again. Analysts at Bain & Company said several signs indicate the market is about to shrink even more. Falling birth rates, behavioral changes, high car prices and a growing array of alternatives could drive sales down by more than 2 million units by 2040, according to their analysis.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Volkswagen Reportedly Planning to Axe 100,000 Jobs
Volkswagen, one of the world’s largest automakers, is reportedly planning to axe as many as 100,000 jobs over the next few years, representing 15% of its global workforce. The job cuts would come alongside the planned closure of four factories in Germany and a 15% reduction in investment over the next five years.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Texas Closing in on California as the Nation’s Top Auto Market
Texas is rapidly closing in on California as the nation’s largest retail automotive market, marking a potential turning point in where vehicles are bought, sold and prioritized across the U.S. According to JD Power’s Automotive OEM Intelligence Report. California still leads the country in new-vehicle sales, but its margin over Texas has narrowed sharply.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Magna Chief Urges Auto Industry to Adopt More Flexibility, Earlier
The CEO of major automotive supplier Magna International said the industry needs to get more flexible and earlier. “There is no single future,” Magna chief Swamy Kotagiri said at an Automotive Press Association/SAA presentation at Magna’s complex in the Detroit suburb Troy, Michigan. “Companies are being asked to do a lot of things at once.”
Click here for the rest of the article.
USMCA Review 2026: What Manufacturers Should Do Now
The 2026 USMCA review could reshape North American manufacturing for years to come. Plante Moran’s international experts break down what the review means, the key themes to watch, and the practical steps manufacturers can take now to reduce risk and prepare for potential changes.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Munro & Associates Teardown Spotlight: 2025 Rivian R1S
The 2025 Rivian R1S demonstrates a shift in EV architecture, with updates spanning vehicle electronics, battery systems, and manufacturing strategy. The vehicle is part of the A2MAC1 teardown database at the Munro & Associates facility in Auburn Hills, MI.
Key updates include motors manufactured in-house, a revised battery system, and a revised supply chain supporting greater vertical integration. Rivian also transitioned from a distributed electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture to a zonal architecture, reducing the number of electronic control units (ECUs) from 17 to 7 and shortening the wiring harness by approximately 2.6 km. Additional updates include new software with an updated Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and revised lighting systems featuring Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) and RGB LEDs.
The R1S reflects a broader industry shift toward simplified architectures, reduced complexity, and improved manufacturing efficiency. These changes highlight how EV manufacturers are rethinking vehicle design to reduce cost, improve scalability, and increase system integration. For additional insights or benchmarking details, visit Munro & Associates.
U.S. Affordability Pressure Increases as New Vehicle Prices Approach Record High
New data shows that the average marketed price (AMP) for new vehicles is approaching an all-time high, reaching $51,610 on May 26, just $30 below the record level in July 2023. Over the past year, AMP increased by $1,896 with almost 85% of that growth taking place since March 1 alone, according to a new report by Catalyst IQ. Coupled with affordability pressures, higher interest rates and fuel prices approaching all-time highs — up more than $1.50 per gallon over the past 11 weeks — this rapid price growth is creating additional challenges for dealers entering the summer selling season.
Click here for the rest of the article.
AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance Across Modern Vehicle Platforms
As vehicles become increasingly software‑defined, OEMs are under pressure to move beyond reactive, rule‑based maintenance. Interpreting noisy, high‑volume vehicle telemetry to predict failures, optimize maintenance, and manage warranty costs has become critical—across both passenger and commercial vehicle programs.
Working with Amazon Web Services (AWS), KPIT applies automotive‑specific AI models and Generative AI to vehicle telemetry and service data to enable predictive maintenance at scale. AI‑based Remaining Useful Life (RUL) models help anticipate component degradation based on real‑world operating conditions rather than fixed intervals. In one US truck OEM deployment, this approach extended engine oil life by approximately 12% (4,000–4,500 km), while AI‑assisted diagnostics have also delivered up to 40% faster diagnosis, 30–50% higher technician efficiency, and 20–30% fewer incorrect warranty claims across programs.
Together, these capabilities support earlier interventions, better maintenance decisions, improved vehicle uptime, and tighter control of lifecycle costs—regardless of vehicle segment.
As Auto Costs Rise, Will the U.S. Miss the Golden Age of Electric Vehicles?
Earlier this month, an intriguing new Detroit-based electric vehicle startup hit the market – Slate Auto, a Jeff Bezos-backed venture offering something U.S. buyers rarely see these days – a pick up truck billed as “affordable.” Its base price is $24,950, making it one of the lowest-cost autos in the US market and close to half the price of the average new vehicle. But as the US contends with sharply rising auto costs, even Slate may be getting left behind in the global electric vehicle (EV) transition. The global EV industry is entering a golden age powered by cheap Chinese cars that can be bought for as little as $10,000.
Click here for the rest of the article.
EV Transition Challenges Auto Supply Chain Resilience
Automakers offering new electrified powertrain options will have to take charge of multiple supply chains. Electric vehicles may have a lot less complexity and moving parts compared to internal combustion engine powered vehicles, but the reverse is true when it comes to an automaker’s supply chain.
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