January 2008
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Hybrid Nation
With the standard for corporate average fuel economy set to rise, the auto industry is ramping up the introduction of alternative fuels.
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Workin’ for Peanuts
Over the last year, Nuts Are Good Inc. (formerly Fresh Roasted Almond Co.), has revamped its business plan to bank on more casual fare — peanuts — as a new cash cow.
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Fiscal Procrastination
Gov. Granholm and our state legislators shouldn’t wait for a deadline to tackle Michigan’s next budget.
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The Pink Door Opens
Along the charming brick-paver streets of downtown Milford sits a small, ivy-covered corner shop called The Pink Door.
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Smart Man
Detroit native Dave Schembri has been given a challenge few folks ever face: launching an entirely new brand of automobiles into the crowded American market.
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Joe Serra
President, Serra Automotive, Grand Blanc. Co-Chairman, 2008 North American International Auto Show, Detroit. The E-Interview.
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Amaury Diaz Serrano
Nine months ago, Amaury Diaz Serrano’s boss at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren gave the vehicle designer an unusual assignment.
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Can Tesla Revive the EV?
The quest for the electric vehicle may come from a promising startup in Silicon Valley, with an assist from a design and engineering center in Rochester Hills.
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The Long & Winding Road
General Motors Corp. is finally earning praise from critics, but its product revival is running into a slumping U.S. economy, making GM North American President Troy Clarke’s job even harder.
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Scared Straight
In 2006, there were more than 50,000 arrests for drunken driving in Michigan, and 17,000 of those were in the tri-county area alone, according to the Michigan State Police’s recent drunken-driving audit.
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Ray Scott
Ray Scott, Lear’s president of the North American seating business, and his team took the unusual step of creating a fashion show at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD), where the new leather was used to accent dresses, suits, and accessories.
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Dream Space
One of the most remarkable offices in the entire automotive industry takes center stage at GM’s Warren technical center.
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Bob Nardelli
After his first 100 days as chairman and CEO of Chrysler LLC, Bob Nardelli spent the following day — a brisk Saturday in November — building a playground for students at the Business, Entrepreneurship, Science, and Technology Academy in Highland Park.
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Foreign Affairs
Overseas companies have been setting up operations in Michigan for years, and if state and local leaders can streamline taxes, cut red tape, and improve services, more could be on the horizon.
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Higher Ground
Now with a new, competitive labor agreement with the United Auto Workers in hand, Detroit automakers are as confident as ever that they can narrow the productivity gap with Asian rivals.
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Jim Press
When he jumped ship from Toyota to Chrysler last September, Jim Press experienced his fair share of culture shock.
