Michigan Economic Development Corporation Offers Strategies To Position Michigan as a Leading Fuel Cell Manufacturer

      Innovative Plan Allows State to Capitalize on Emerging Technology

    LANSING, Mich., Aug. 7 The Michigan Economic Development
Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Automotive Partnership released a study
today that identifies tactics to position Michigan as a leading candidate for
potential fuel cell manufacturing facility investment.
    The study, authored by the Center for Automotive Research, was
commissioned due to recent technological developments that suggest the
internal combustion engine may eventually be replaced by fuel cell technology.
This replacement could affect nearly 27,000 Michigan workers employed at 10
engine plants and five powertrain plants.
    "Alternative powertrain technology has placed our state's auto industry at
a crossroads," said Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation.  "In order to maintain our state's position as the
automotive technology center of the world, Michigan must embrace this emerging
technology or potentially lose thousands of jobs.  This study offers the
necessary steps to continue Michigan's manufacturing leadership in the
technology driven economy."
    Based on discussions with fuel cell manufacturers and suppliers, the study
recommends five key areas that Michigan must address to better position itself
as a leader in alternative powertrain technology and to become a viable
candidate for fuel cell manufacturing:
    1. The creation of the Michigan Advanced Automotive Powertrain Technology
Alliance.
    2. An investigation on the feasibility of creating a power electronics
"Center of Excellence."
    3. Establish a Michigan Hydrogen Infrastructure Working Group to include
the investigation of necessary changes and lead time requirements for service
and repair of infrastructure related to fuel cell and alternative technology
vehicles.
    4. Promote the demonstration and testing of prototype fuel cell vehicles
and support the commercialization of fuel cells for vehicle and stationary
power generation applications.
    5. Conduct an economic study to determine the most appropriate financial
incentives for the development and commercialization of fuel cell and other
advanced technology vehicles.

    "The commissioning of this study demonstrates the MEDC's forward thinking
approach to researching the manufacturing process, skills and materials
necessary to produce fuel cells and alternative powertrain vehicles," said
David Cole, director of the Center for Automotive Research.
    The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) is within the Environmental
Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM) in Ann Arbor.  CAR conducts research in
significant issues related to the future direction of the global automotive
industry and organizes and conducts forums of value to the automotive
community.
    To view the complete study, please visit the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation website at http://www.michigan.org .
    The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a partnership between the
state and local communities, promotes smart economic growth by developing
strategies and providing services to create and retain good jobs and a high
quality of life.

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