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Michigan Maintains Dominance in U.S. Auto Production Amid Emerging Competition

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, December 10th 2025 at 16:54 GMT by Detroit News

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Michigan’s Auto Industry Still Holds the Lead—But Competitors Are Closing the Gap

A new report released on December 10 , 2025 confirms that Michigan remains the United States’ unrivaled auto‑production hub, yet the gap between the Wolverine State and a growing cohort of “second‑tier” manufacturing states is narrowing faster than many observers expected. The article, published by The Detroit News and sourced from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), charts production volumes, employment trends, and the evolving competitive landscape that could reshape the auto sector over the next decade.

1. Michigan’s Current Production Profile

The report finds that Michigan produced 17.8 million vehicles in 2024, accounting for 37 % of U.S. passenger‑vehicle production—the highest share of any state for more than 60 years. The state’s three “Big Three” OEMs—General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis—continue to dominate the output mix, with GM and Stellantis alone supplying more than half of Michigan’s total output.

While the raw number of vehicles produced remains steady, the report notes a 4.2 % year‑over‑year decline in volume, a trend attributed primarily to shifting demand toward electric vehicles (EVs) and to supply‑chain disruptions that slowed production during the first half of the year. Despite this dip, Michigan still outscores every other state in raw output.

2. Employment and Workforce Dynamics

Michigan’s auto‑industry employment figure is a key metric in the report. 129,200 workers were employed in auto manufacturing and parts assembly as of the end of 2024—down from 137,500 the previous year. The decline mirrors the broader trend of automation and the integration of advanced robotics, which have replaced a growing share of manual labor in assembly lines.

The MEDC report further breaks down employment by sub‑sector: 57 % of workers are involved in vehicle assembly, 25 % in parts manufacturing, and the remaining 18 % in support services (maintenance, logistics, and quality control). A striking finding is that 38 % of the workforce is now working in electric‑vehicle‑related roles, up from 23 % in 2019. This shift underscores Michigan’s pivot toward battery production, charging infrastructure, and power‑train development.

In terms of wages, Michigan workers earn a median annual salary of $54,300, slightly above the national auto‑industry average but still trailing the rising salaries offered by states such as Tennessee and Texas, where incentives have attracted high‑paying positions in battery manufacturing and supply‑chain management.

3. The Rise of “Second‑Tier” States

One of the most compelling take‑aways from the article is the rapid ascent of other states as auto‑production powerhouses:

The report attributes the gains in these states to a combination of factors:

1. Aggressive Incentive Packages – Tennessee’s 2023 legislation offers $3 million in tax credits for new auto plants; Georgia’s state‑wide infrastructure bond issue of $500 million has funded road upgrades near manufacturing corridors.
2. Lower Labor Costs – Average hourly wages in Tennessee and Georgia hover around $20 compared to $24 in Michigan, making them attractive for labor‑intensive operations.
3. Supply‑Chain Resilience – Many new plants in these states strategically locate near critical raw‑material suppliers, reducing shipping costs and mitigating the risk of global supply disruptions.
4. Expanding EV Infrastructure – Texas and Florida have invested heavily in charging networks, positioning themselves as attractive locations for EV manufacturers seeking a domestic charging ecosystem.

The article cites a 2025 Deloitte analysis that projects Tennessee’s auto output to surpass Michigan’s by 2030 if current trends continue, highlighting the urgency for Michigan to adapt.

4. Electric Vehicle Manufacturing: A Double‑Edged Sword

Michigan’s auto‑industry leaders are doubling down on EVs, with Stellantis’s new EV plant in Southfield producing 300,000 battery‑electric vehicles (BEVs) annually, and Ford’s “Blue Oval” Gigafactory slated to add an additional 250,000 BEVs by 2026. However, the article points out that the battery‑cell production remains largely concentrated in Texas—particularly in the newly inaugurated Panasonic‑GM partnership plant—and that Michigan is still dependent on imported cells, exposing it to international supply volatility.

The MEDC report urges Michigan to accelerate its in‑state battery‑cell production. A 2024 investment of $1.8 billion by a consortium of Michigan universities and private investors in a “battery‑cell research hub” has shown promise, but it still lags behind Texas’s $3.5 billion state‑backed cell manufacturing facility.

5. Policy Recommendations and Strategic Responses

To maintain its lead, the article proposes a set of policy initiatives:

• Workforce Retraining Programs – The Michigan Department of Labor’s “Auto‑Future Academy” has already begun training 7,000 workers in battery‑cell manufacturing and advanced robotics.
• Infrastructure Investment – Expanding the Michigan 5G network to cover rural manufacturing corridors is a priority to support autonomous manufacturing and real‑time supply‑chain coordination.
• Tax Incentives for In‑State Batteries – Matching the Tennessee model, Michigan could offer a $2 million tax credit per battery‑cell plant that remains 100 % domestically sourced.
• Cross‑State Collaboration – The article links to a joint venture between Michigan and the neighboring states of Ohio and Indiana, which aims to create a “Midwest Auto Corridor” focused on supply‑chain integration.

The article quotes Industry Commissioner Maria Lopez: “We are not just defending Michigan’s past achievements; we are building a future where the Wolverine State remains a critical node in the global auto network.”

6. Bottom Line

Michigan remains the undisputed leader in U.S. vehicle production, but the speed at which states like Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, and Florida are expanding their auto footprints threatens to erode Michigan’s market share. The state’s biggest challenges lie in balancing cost competitiveness with high‑skill labor demand and in building a domestic battery‑cell supply chain to reduce dependence on external sources.

For now, Michigan still accounts for over a third of national auto output, but the article makes clear that the industry’s geography is shifting. Stakeholders—from OEMs to policymakers—must act decisively if Michigan is to retain its title as the U.S. auto‑manufacturing capital in the era of electrification and automation.