I’m back…to write to you all on this very rainy Wednesday.  I was thrilled to join DaimlerChrysler, General Motors and the BMW Group to celebrate the official launch of their joint Hybrid Development Center in Troy yesterday.  I was very impressed not only with their top notch facility but with the quality of their workforce. 

The new Hybrid Development Center is home to more than 500 engineers and specialists from all three companies.  They are working to develop the complete hybrid system and its individual components, such as electric motors, high-performance electronics, energy management, wiring, and hybrid system control units.  The most exciting component for our state is the development of a 2-mode hybrid system which is expected to boost fuel economy by up to 25 percent.  With the erratic gas prices we are experiencing, it’s nice to see that our automakers are working to give citizens a break.  With Michigan’s prosperous heritage in the auto manufacturing industry, I believe that we can – and will – be a leader in the alternative fuel industry. 

DaimlerChrysler, General Motors and BMW Group’s investment in Michigan once again shows that business leaders in the manufacturing sector are looking to the Great Lakes State for success in the 21st century and beyond.  We have what it takes for industry leaders to thrive in our state, and we will continue to work together to provide businesses with unique solutions in order to help them grow their companies on our turf.

I was also pleased to announce yesterday that Muhammad Ali and his wife Lonnie have signed my online stem cell petition, encouraging the Legislature to lift the ban on stem cell research in Michigan. The Alis have been great leaders on this critical issue since Muhammad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1982.  Stem cell research holds the promise of a cure for our Michigan citizens who suffer through devastating illnesses like Parkinson’s, cancer, juvenile diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and spinal cord injuries.  These cures could also ease the pain felt by the families of these vulnerable patients.

Although Michigan’s past has been defined by the discovery and the development of the automobile, I believe Michigan’s future can be in the research and development of the next pollution-free vehicle, the next life saving medical treatment, or the next breakthrough homeland security mechanism.  I feel inspired and excited about the future of the Great Lakes State.  The crucial need to diversify Michigan’s economy has been recognized for many decades, but now is the time to move ahead!