The automotive industry has been an unforgettable part of Michigan’s past and, according to Gov. John Engler in his State of the State address Wednesday night, it’ll be a large part of its future.
Engler spent half of his address on the upcoming trends in technology, centering on the trade that made Detroit famous - excluding Motown - as well as its expansion into a neighborhood closer to home.
“First, we must understand what’s going on in our most important industry,” he said. “We are celebrating the opening of the (General Motors Corp.) Lansing Grand River plant - the most sophisticated in the world.”
The plant was the most recent addition to the company’s expansive operations.
Nevertheless, the company feels the mention is an indication of the progress expected from the industry.
“(The Lansing Grand River plant) represents the direction we’re going in manufacturing,” GM spokeswoman Renee Rashid-Merem said.
In his speech, Engler was quick to notice the direction mentioned also incorporates a few new advancements in the industry.
Fuel-cell technology was the first issue mentioned.
“As fuel cells go from powering the astronauts’ space shuttle to powering your family car, they will transform our very way of life,” he said.
The technology won’t be readily available for about a decade, but fuel cells will be worth the wait, GM spokesman Bill Noack said.
“It’s not going to be here tomorrow, but we just think that over the long term the fuel-cell technology is what’s going to deliver,” he said.
For many analysts, the new approach to an old aspect of Michigan business was a smart move for the governor.
“It’s just building on the state’s strength,” said Carol Weissert, an MSUassociate professor of political science.
But not all Michigan voters were thrilled with the governor’s fallback on the auto industry.
Mark Grebner, analyst for Practical Political Consulting, said the issue is not as cut and dry as the fuel-cell technology seems.
“What you’re looking at is just a tip of the iceberg,” he said.
Of all the issues addressed in the speech, fuel cells and the general attention to technology drew the least criticism from Democrats, but, Grebner said, the debate still hasn’t ended.
“Presumably there are a lot of manufacturers that are on one side or the other,” he said.
