Tesla Motors continues to fight for the ability to sell its electric cars directly to customers in Michigan, home of the rest of the U.S. Politics dealers Michigan Tesla Motors plug-in cars dealerships state lawsauto industry. The Silicon Vallery automaker has been banned from doing so for about two years, thanks to subtle changes made to the state's franchise laws to prevent direct sales. Having failed to overturn the. MORE

General Motors in-car electronics Michigan GM plug-in cars Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) LG Chem assembly plantsThe question of where consumer goods are made has become more prominent in our political discourse of late, cars among them. Every automobile sold in the U.S. carries a listing of content sources, specifying what percentage by value of its overall content comes from which countries or regions. Electric cars, it turns out, have some anomalies. MORE

A test deployment of a new hub-and-shuttle urban mobility system will take place on the University of Michigan’s North Campus. million grant from the Michigan Institute for Data Science. MORE

The University of Michigan (U-M) will collaborate with Chinese institutions to advance research, development and deployment of new transportation technologies and cutting-edge innovations. Jack Hu, U-M vice president for research, signed a research agreement with DiDi Chuxing, China’s largest rider-hailing company, to develop scholarships and innovations related to the share economy. U-M is the first university in the US to partner with DiDi. MORE

An ongoing lawsuit continues to complicate life for potential buyers of the Tesla Model 3, and the automaker's other electric cars, who live in Michigan. Michigan lawsuit Tesla Motors plug-in cars dealerships Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV Tesla and the state remain locked in a legal battle over the state's franchise law, which requires automakers to sell vehicles only via an independently owned and franchised dealership. MORE

India-based Mahindra Group inaugurated the Mahindra GenZe electric two-wheeler facility and the Mahindra North American Technical Center (MNATC) in Southeast Michigan. Mahindra GenZe selected Ann Arbor, Michigan for its manufacturing facility following a nationwide search. Mahindra already has a presence in the United States with IT companies—Tech Mahindra and Bristlecone—as well as the world’s number one selling tractor brand based on volume. MORE

a team of students from the University of Michigan beat 23. Michigan Students solarOther than charging a battery-electric car using electricity harvested by photovoltaic panels, solar power isn't exactly practical for current production cars. But every year, dozens of solar-powered race cars compete in events around the world held for college students. In the U.S., MORE

billion in three Michigan manufacturing facilities to strengthen its leadership in trucks and SUVs and support the company’s expansion to an auto and mobility company. Ford is investing $850 million in Michigan Assembly Plant to retool the plant to build the all-new Ford Ranger and Ford Bronco. Employees at Michigan Assembly Plant will begin building Ranger at the end of 2018 and Bronco in 2020. Ford Motor Company is investing $1.2 MORE

Construction permits were filed this week to transform an approximately 60-acre site at Michigan Technical Resource Park (MITRP) in Ottawa Lake. Toyota Research Institute (TRI) is constructing a closed-course test facility to develop automated vehicle technology. MORE

A new $1-million relationship between Michigan State University and ExxonMobil will expand research designed to progress the fundamental science required to advance algae-based fuels. We are looking forward to working with Michigan State University on this project. MORE

A123 Systems LLC, a developer and manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion batteries and systems, plans to spend $40 million to build a new headquarters complex in Novi, Michigan. The new 150,000 square foot campus will replace A123’s leased space in Livonia and Romulus, Michigan. This will impact approximately 200 manufacturing jobs at the company’s current locations in Livonia and Romulus, Michigan. MORE

As a Tesla lawsuit over the state of Michigan's dealership franchise law grinds on, the Silicon Valley automaker scored a recent legal victory. A federal magistrate has ordered two Michigan lawmakers to turn over their communications to the company's lawyers, including emails they sent to lobbyist groups. Politics Michigan lawsuit Tesla Motors plug-in cars dealerships Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV MORE

Tesla still isn't allowed to sell its electric cars in Michigan, owing to a ban on direct sales signed two years ago. sales dealers Michigan Tesla Motors plug-in cars dealerships state lawsAll carmakers in the state must sell new cars solely through franchised dealers, something Tesla has fought against with no success so far. Yet while this ban continues, the state's Treasury Department is investing in Tesla Motors. MORE

The electric-car maker lost a round in Michigan last fall, but now a government agency has weighed in on Michigan's revision to its franchise law. Politics sales dealers Michigan Tesla Motors New car sales plug-in cars dealerships state lawsTesla Motors has had varied success in its efforts to fight state laws making its direct online-sales model illegal. MORE

Ford is the first automaker to test autonomous vehicles at Mcity—the full-scale simulated real-world urban environment at the University of Michigan. MORE

During the new truck's launch at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, GM product chief Mark Reuss hinted at a future announcement regarding the next-generation truck and the Michigan city of Flint, where it. Manufacturing Diesels Michigan TurbodieselsThe forthcoming diesel-powered 2019 Chevrolet Silverado will, without a doubt, thump with the Heartbeat of America. MORE

Tesla builds its three different electric models in Fremont, California; the new 2018 Nissan Leaf has just gone into production in Smyrna, Tennessee; and the Chevrolet Bolt EV is built at the Orion Assembly Plant in Michigan. Michigan chattanooga California Fremont assembly plug-in cars Tennessee Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) assembly plants SmyrnaToday, battery-electric cars are built in volume at only three locations across the entire United States. MORE

Tesla Motors has, once again, been blocked from selling its electric cars directly to customers in Michigan. Over the past couple of years, Tesla has been engaged in a battle with Michigan's franchised car dealers who—like dealers in several other states—view Tesla's direct-sales model as a threat. dealers Michigan Tesla Motors New car sales plug-in cars dealerships MORE

Green Michigan Politics Tesla Motors dealers plug-in cars sales state lawsTesla Motors' direct sales business model has met considerable opposition from auto-dealer associations in several states. Lobbying efforts have ensured that there are some states where it's illegal for the company to sell you a Tesla Model S electric car. Yet while Tesla has its detractors, often found among lobbyists for auto dealers, it also. MORE

General Motors is increasing its renewable energy use with 3 acres of new solar arrays at two Michigan facilities. A 516 kW installation at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, Michigan’s largest ground-mount solar array. The company’s processing center in Swartz Creek and engine plant in Flint will feature 150 kW ground-mount solar arrays expected to generate a combined 400,000 kWh of renewable energy per year to the facilities’ grids. MORE

But plans for such a network in Michigan recently hit a roadblock. Michigan electric utilities plug-in cars charging charging infrastructure ChargePoint NetworkIn multiple states, electric utilities are beginning to establish networks of electric-car charging stations. Last week, local utility Consumers Energy withdrew its request to install public electric-car charging stations at an estimated cost of $15 million. DON'T MISS: California. MORE

Tesla is currently banned from selling its electric cars directly to customers in Michigan. Last year, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed a bill requiring all new vehicles in the state to be sold exclusively through franchised third-party dealers. Politics sales dealers Michigan Tesla Motors state lawsBut the Silicon Valley startup automaker is continuing efforts to win over legislators, and the. MORE

emissions Michigan CAFE Fuel Economy Corporate Average Fuel EconomyRight now, the debate over the future of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards is in full swing. Today, they call for a fleet average of 54.5 mpg (or about 38 mpg on window stickers) by 2025 for vehicles sold in the U.S. But many within the auto industry—and those sympathetic to it—would like to see those standards rolled. MORE

In Michigan, Tesla is banned by law from selling cars directly to buyers, and from opening Tesla Store retail locations. Politics sales dealers Michigan Tesla Motors plug-in cars dealerships state lawsElectric-car maker Tesla Motors is the fourth-largest U.S. car maker, but its home in California's Silicon Valley is far from the heartland Detroit base of GM, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler. MORE

Frontt Capital Management Ltd, a Shenzhen-based investment firm focused on developing the intelligent vehicle industry in China, is making a $27-million investment to advance autonomous, connected vehicles and robotic technologies with the University of Michigan, along with industry and government partners. The relationship with Frontt grew out of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s effort to strengthen trade relations between Michigan and China. MORE

On the heels of the signing of the SAVE Act legislation to support autonomous vehicle testing and deployment in Michigan ( earlier post ), General Motors will immediately begin testing autonomous vehicles on public roads. Testing is already underway on GM’s Technical Center campus in Warren, Michigan, and with the passage of the SAVE Act legislation will now expand to public roads on the facility’s outskirts. MORE

You don't see a lot of Teslas in Michigan. dealers Michigan Tesla Motors Dealership plug-in cars state lawsIt's not because the three U.S. automakers headquartered there aren't interested in the electric cars produced by a Silicon Valley company founded just 12 years ago. It's because state laws bar the company from selling its cars online to state residents—and Tesla has no interest in using old-style. MORE

That appears to be particularly the case in Michigan, home to the three largest U.S. CHECK OUT: Michigan Gov Snyder Signs 'Corrupt Politics At Its. Michigan plug-in cars Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) state laws charging infrastructure Charging stationsAs Kermit the Frog sang, sometimes it's not easy being green. automakers. The Great Lakes State is a global hub of automotive technology, the bulk of it centered around internal-combustion engines. MORE

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a package of legislation putting autonomous vehicles onto Michigan’s roads. The core is Senate Bill 995 , which allows operation of autonomous vehicles on Michigan roads where before only testing of these vehicles by manufacturers was permitted. All safety requirements that pertain to the testing of autonomous vehicles will apply to autonomous vehicle operation. MORE

Last October, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed a bill prohibiting carmakers from selling vehicles directly to customers in the state. The legislation came after fierce campaigning by Michigan's franchised auto. Green Michigan Politics Tesla Motors dealers dealerships plug-in cars sales state lawsTesla Motors can't sell its electric cars in the home state of the Detroit Three automakers, but it's long wanted to change that. MORE

Michigan Autonomous cars plug-in cars self-driving cars Faraday FutureChinese-backed carmaker Faraday Future is still likely a few years away from releasing its first electric car, but the company is quickly expanding its operations and footprint. Faraday broke ground on a factory in North Las Vegas, Nevada, earlier this year, and is reportedly looking into a second factory site in Vallejo, California. At the same. MORE

Michigan State University researchers are experimenting with harvesting seed oil to make biofuels. MORE

Global auto supplier DENSO announced the opening of the DENSO R&D Lab at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to accelerate development of new auto safety technologies and create new research opportunities for engineering students. In early December, DENSO also announced MDrive, a car sharing study in which University of Michigan-Dearborn students will help shape the future of mobility. MORE

General Motors and the University of Michigan will extend their collaborative automotive research efforts through 2017. Launched in 1998, Collaborative Research Laboratories (CRL) at the University of Michigan have led to significant commercial and academic success for students, the university and the automaker. In addition, GM and the University of Michigan have an existing, separate CRL that concentrates on smart material developments. MORE

FCSM will operate within GM’s existing battery pack manufacturing facility site in Brownstown, Michigan, south of Detroit. MORE

Earlier this month, an application for a dealer license submitted by Tesla Motors was denied by the state of Michigan. sales dealers Michigan Tesla Motors plug-in cars dealerships state lawsIt was the final decision in a process that kicked off in October 2014. That was when a last-minute wording change in state franchise law foreclosed the electric-car maker's ability to sell cars directly to buyers, its business. MORE

NAVYA, a pioneer in developing and manufacturing autonomous vehicles, will establish its first assembly plant outside of Europe in Southeast Michigan. To achieve that goal, NAVYA plans to hire a team of 15 people at the Michigan facility by the end of 2017. In 2016, Michigan Gov. MORE

University of Michigan will award more than $1 million in grant funding to technologies that demonstrate high potential for solving transportation's toughest challenges. The Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization Transportation ( MTRAC ) program, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corp., MORE

Norway-based aluminum company Sapa is opening an automotive-focused R&D laboratory—Sapa Technology Americas—in Michigan, dedicated to the research and development of extruded aluminum solutions for the automotive industry. The lab will not handle external queries, aside from projects with key academic partners, such as Michigan Technological University. MORE

The state of Michigan, to help pay for road repairs, decided more than a year ago to hit owners of hybrids and electric cars with additional fees starting this January 1—on top of higher registration rates for all cars. Michigan taxes Gas Tax registration state laws MORE

Tesla Motors is not legally allowed to sell its electric cars directly to customers in Michigan, thanks to subtle changes made two years ago to the state's franchise laws. dealers Michigan Tesla Motors plug-in cars dealershipsBut Tesla now has one store in the home state of the Detroit Three automakers. However, that location is only a "gallery" where consumers can look at cars, but can't buy. CHECK. MORE

The University of Michigan has opened Mcity, the first large controlled environment specifically designed to test the potential of connected and automated vehicle technologies that will lead the way to mass-market driverless cars. MORE

The University of Michigan is entering two separate agreements with Chinese institutions targeting automated and connected vehicles. Second, a $2.5-million research agreement with the Chongqing Sokon Industry Group establishes the University of Michigan-Sokon Research Center in the U-M Department of Mechanical Engineering. Sokon is also establishing an independent tech center in the state of Michigan. MORE