Creating an All-Electric Future, Together

When we made our commitment to an all-electric future, we knew we could not do it alone. We need everybody in on this journey to create a better world for future generations. This includes governments, businesses, communities and our employees – starting in our own backyard. This year’s Mackinac Policy Conference brought together leaders and policymakers from around Michigan to discuss a cleaner, more inclusive path forward for our great state.?

I’d like to share three key takeaways from my discussion with Joe White of Reuters on General Motors’ path forward, and what it means for the future of our industry and for communities here in our home state:

1. Innovation is core to our growth: Our vehicles, products, services and customer experience are all underpinned by constant innovation. Now more than ever, that includes both hardware AND software. Our latest innovation, EV motors, is a great example of what moving from hardware to hardware and software means for our employees. The motors were built on propulsion software that was developed in-house and will power our Ultium-based EVs. This innovation speaks to the talent and expertise of our team pivoting from conventional motors to EV motors.
2. We can go farther, and faster, together: Electric vehicles are here – with all the performance, sustainability and convenience they bring. We need to get consumers as excited about EVs as we are, and we need to encourage communities to be ready. That means investing in EV charging to help make the EV experience convenient and seamless, manufacturing EVs that are accessible at different price points, and bringing our workforce along with us. We not only want GM to lead the industry – we also want the U.S. to lead this global trend.
3. We can’t leave any community behind on our all-electric journey: Our $50 million investment to Detroit-based nonprofit programs will help address the root causes of inequity in the education and employment spaces, and we continue to expand on this commitment with our NeighborHUB program to provide grant opportunities for small businesses in the Detroit area. These grants will be a key part of rebuilding our local economy and as the world opens back up, I encourage everyone to shop local – whether it’s your local coffee shop, gym or auto dealership.

As a Detroit native, I have a special place in my heart for the city. It has the drive and resilience of a heavyweight champion, and it should never be counted out. Like GM, its people are its greatest strength.