Event

2025 Automotive Summit

Date:: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025
Time:: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. ET
Location:: M1 Concourse, 45399 Woodward Ave, Pontiac, MI 48341

Join Michigan’s top auto minds at M1 concourse this September for an afternoon of impactful insights and practical discussions exploring the future state of the industry.

Top-down view of a highway road system Detroit knows how to build. This September, we’ll show you how to lead. The automotive industry is navigating constant change – from supply chain pressures to evolving U.S. tariff and energy policies. Automation and AI are accelerating this shift. Regulations keep moving. So how do you make confident decisions when priorities shift overnight?

That’s where strategy comes in.

Our 2025 Automotive Summit brings together suppliers, operators, and decision-makers for practical discussions across the mobility landscape. From leadership to M&A strategy, this event delivers real-world insights and clear direction for staying ahead in a changing market. Instability and uncertainty are the currencies of the automotive and mobility industry, and companies need to be poised for transformation.

Whether you're refining your plans or exploring new ones, join us for an afternoon of straight answers and opportunities to connect with impactful ideas and industry leaders to help you move forward with confidence.

Agenda

1:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Registration

1:30 – 1:35 p.m. | Welcome remarks

1:35 – 2:25 p.m. | Beyond tariffs: Top opportunities & challenges for automotive leaders

While U.S. tariff policy dominates much of the conversation around the future of the automotive industry, opportunities and challenges lie ahead for automotive companies beyond the impact of tariffs. This panel will dive into key opportunities and challenges for automotive leaders, including the effect of China’s rising auto market on the United States, the status of vehicle electrification, initiatives to drive increased adoption, and the technology innovations that can drive industry growth.

Moderator: Mark Barrott, Partner, Plante Moran

Speakers:

Terry Woychowski, President, Caresoft Global
Paul Ryan, Vice President & General Manager, Eaton Corporation
Rick Wilmer, President & Chief Executive Officer, ChargePoint

2:30 – 2:50 p.m. | State-of-the-industry outlook

2:50 – 3:15 p.m. | Break & product showcase

3:15 – 3:55 p.m. | Outlook on M&A in the automotive market

Dive into the current deal landscape in the automotive industry with our experts. We’ll break down the state of the market, recent automotive M&A activity and trends, pre-M&A transaction considerations, strategies for M&A success, and more.

Moderator: Ted Morgan, Partner, Plante Moran

Speakers:

Justin Steil, Partner, Co-Head of NA Transaction Team, MiddleGround Capital
Matt Remsen, Vice President of M&A, Tenneco
Ellen Clark, Managing Director, PMCF Investment Banking

4:00 – 4:50 p.m. | Driving business value in the new auto industry

This panel of OEM executives will delve into what OEMs are seeking from their suppliers, particularly focusing on the importance of data metrics and insights. Learn how suppliers can leverage these insights to build stronger, more collaborative relationships with OEMs, ultimately driving efficiency and mutual profitability. Discover the key factors that OEMs consider crucial for successful partnerships and understand the implications for suppliers aiming to meet these expectations in a dynamic and evolving market.

Moderator: Dr. Angela Johnson, Principal, Plante Moran

Speakers:

Liz Door, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Ford Motor Company
Ryan Grimm, Group Vice President Purchasing Supplier Development, Toyota Motors NA
Marcelo Conti, Executive Director – Interior, Exterior & Thermal, Global Purchasing & Supply Chain, General Motors
Marvin Washington, Vice President – Supplier Risk, Relations and Diversification, Stellantis

4:50 – 5:00 p.m. | Closing remarks

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Networking & product showcase

During networking time, attendees can enjoy demonstrations of leading Chinese OEM vehicles from Caresoft, vehicle and product displays from Toyota and Aisin, racing simulators, and other showcases to be announced. Adding to the excitement, the Autocross Experience, proudly sponsored by Aisin, puts you in the driver’s seat for a laser-timed challenge. Test your skills and bring a thrilling layer of friendly competition to your networking experience.

Exterior image of the M1 Concourse

M1 Concourse spans 87 acres and serves as a premier destination for auto enthusiasts. It boasts the world's largest collection of Private Garages and features a cutting-edge 1.5-mile Performance Track, complete with an exclusive Motorsports Club. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the track and its surroundings, all from an open-air, elevated vantage point with a striking, modern design—ideal for creating unforgettable experiences.

Register now

This event is thoughtfully designed for senior leaders and decision-makers in the automotive industry. To ensure a meaningful and focused experience for all participants, we kindly reserve the right to limit attendance at our discretion.