With our proximity to the Big Three automakers and countless suppliers, and our strategic location in the center of the North American global automotive research and development hub, Marx Layne serves the automotive sector, one of the most important in the Midwest. Our clients represent many areas of the automotive industry — from cybersecurity to automation.

Marx Layne played a major role and collaborated with the Financial Times — one of the world’s leading news organizations — to promote a Nov. 8 event in Detroit called the Future of the Car Summit USA, which came to the U.S. after a four-year run in London.

Using skills learned from our vast experience in promoting special events and working with the automotive sector, we worked with the Financial Times to make this event a gathering of the most talented and forward-looking leaders in the industry.

As electric vehicles become more common and the reality of automated and connected vehicles gets closer each day, it’s critical for key auto industry players throughout Michigan and Ohio and beyond to stay up to speed and adapt as the industry changes.

The automotive summit — which was held at the Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront in Detroit — featured leading industry talent and thought leaders in transportation, connectivity and mobility, all shedding light on the strategies and partnerships that must be adopted as emerging tech transforms the industry.

The summit was directed at OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and their partners, including key decision-makers from: dealerships, fuel suppliers, insurance providers, law firms, transport companies and more.

Public sector attendees included state leaders in finance and transportation, as well as investment leaders from America’s largest cities.

Speakers included:

• Mike Abelson, Vice President, Global Strategy, General Motors

• David Baga, Chief Business Officer, Lyft

• Filip Brabec, Vice President, Product Management, Audi of America

• Peter Campbell, Motor Industry Correspondent, Financial Times

• Matt Carpenter, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Audi of America

• Stephen Lesh, Head of Vehicle Programs, Uber Advanced Technologies Group

• Darren Palmer, Global Director, Battery Electric Vehicles Product Development, Ford

• Chadd Price, Head of Product Planning, Hyundai America Technical Center

• Maarten Sierhuis, Chief Technology Director, Nissan Research Center

• Christine Sitek, Chief Operating Officer, Global Connected Customer Experience, General Motors

• Chris Urmson, Co-Founder and CEO, Aurora

• Gareth Williams, Executive Director of Advanced Development, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America

Among the issues industry leaders discussed at the summit were:

• How are OEMs and new players in the automotive market competing and collaborating?

• How could regulation change with increased connectivity and automation?

• What are the emerging cyber-security risks associated with connected cars?

• What are the prospects for electric cars in the mass-market over the next five years?

• How will increased durability and longevity of vehicles affect traditional business models?

• How will automotive supply chains of the future be different?

• How will the insurance industry adapt to the rise of autonomous vehicles?

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