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Chris Holman welcomes Elizabeth Krear, new President and Chief Executive Officer, CAR, Center for Automotive Research, Ann Arbor, MI

About CAR & Elizabeth

Elizabeth, for those who may not be familiar, can you start by telling us a little about the Center for Automotive Research and its mission?

Tell us a bit about your career and what drew you to CAR?

About MBS 2025

CAR’s flagship event, the Management Briefing Seminars, is celebrating its 60th year in 2025. What makes this year special?

You’re moving MBS to Detroit and hosting it at Michigan Central Station. Why was that location chosen, and what does it symbolize for the industry?

What is the theme for MBS 2025, and why is it timely for the industry right now?

On Industry Trends & CAR Research
CAR recently released the quarterly update to its Book of Deals. Can you explain what that is and what trends it’s revealing about automotive investment in North America?

What challenges do you think the industry will be talking about most at MBS this year?

Michigan’s Role & Future Outlook
What role do you see Michigan playing as the industry transforms globally?

What are you personally most excited about as you look ahead to MBS 2025 and beyond?

Elizabeth Krear Appointed President & CEO of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR)

Automotive innovation leader brings decades of engineering, product development, and EV strategy experience to lead CAR into the future
 
Ann Arbor, MI  – The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Krear as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Krear assumes the role following interim leadership by David Leckey and brings a career-long focus on automotive innovation, electrification, and strategic planning.
 
Krear most recently served as Vice President of the Electric Vehicle Practice at J.D. Power, where she led client-facing initiatives focused on leveraging data and insights to guide the transition to an electrified mobility ecosystem. Prior to that, she held leadership roles at Stellantis, including Global Planning Program Vice President for Jeep Grand Wagoneer and electrified SUVs/trucks, and Chief Engineer for the Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, and Ram 1500 platforms.
 
“Elizabeth brings an unmatched blend of technical depth, strategic foresight, and leadership across both legacy and emerging mobility sectors,” said Dr. Andrew Brown, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors. “She is the right leader to guide CAR through its next chapter—deepening our industry impact and expanding our thought leadership during this era of transformation.”
 
Over her more than 25-year automotive career, Krear has worked at the forefront of electrification, autonomous systems, product quality, and product development. She was named one of the Top 100 Women in the North American Auto Industry by Automotive News in 2020, a testament to her influence and leadership across the sector.
 
Krear holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University and an MBA from the Michigan State University Executive MBA Program.
 
Positioning CAR for Strategic Growth and Industry Impact
As the automotive industry continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, Krear’s appointment reinforces CAR’s mission to serve as an independent, nonprofit research hub that informs policy, accelerates innovation, and fosters collaboration across the automotive and mobility ecosystem.
 
Center for Automotive Research

The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) is an independent, non-profit organization conducting industry-driven research and analysis. Focusing on critical areas like Energy & Sustainability, Technology, and Labor, Economics, and Policy. CAR has been a trusted resource for the automotive industry for over twenty years. www.cargroup.org 
 
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Michigan Business Beat | Elizabeth Krear, New President / CEO Leads CAR into 60th MBS in Detroit

Chris Holman welcomes Pete Martin, Director of Portfolio Management, MSU Research Foundation, East Lansing, MI.

Welcome Pete tell us a little about the MSU Research Foundation and the PitchMI Startup Competition?

Michigan’s Innovation Showcase

PitchMI is now one of the nation’s richest state-based startup competitions, offering $4 million in investment. How does this expanded competition elevate Michigan’s position as a leader in startup innovation and funding?

Regional & Statewide Strategy

The competition features four regionally themed events—healthcare in Grand Rapids, clean tech in Traverse City, mobility in Detroit, and AI/software in Ann Arbor—each awarding $250,000, with finalists moving on to compete for a $1 million prize. What’s the strategic intent behind aligning region with specific startup industries, and how does it benefit both local ecosystems and statewide momentum?

Building Momentum & Ecosystem Engagement

Regional winners receive funding and, importantly, time to grow before the statewide finals—an intentional six-month runway for impact and support.
Why is this momentum-building phase so critical, and what role do regional networks and ecosystems play in supporting startup trajectories?

Long-Term Vision & Scalability

With $3 million from the Michigan Innovation Fund and $1 million from Michigan Rise ensuring this is a multi-year initiative, PitchMI aims to run through 2026 and potentially become annual. How does this level of long-term funding and planning reflect Michigan’s broader economic development priorities?

Equity & Access in Startup Support

Although each region focuses thematically, startups from anywhere in Michigan can enter any regional event that matches their focus.
How does PitchMI’s open and inclusive structure help break down geographic silos and create equitable opportunities across the state’s innovation ecosystem?

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Michigan Business Beat | Pete Martin, MSU Research Fdn. – PitchMI $4M Statewide Startup Competition!

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Ann Lee - Ring My Bell (BissoMaN RmX)

Take your time and listen to this reworking of "Ring My Bell," sung by Ann Lee, on a riddim inspired by "President Amin" by the legendary British reggae group called Capital Letters.

Listen, share, and leave your feedback. Enjoy! 🔥🔥🔥

Nov 2025


Ann Lee - Ring My Bell (BissoMaN RmX)

Imma Doin' Mah Best

Beleaf

Imma Dro
PayPal-> @ iamdro
Ca$H-APP-> $ immadro
Venmo-> @ immadro

From Macume.snd and Dub.Rebels Crew

BissoMaN is a reggae producer, remixer, and DJ selecta from Palermo, Sicily, Italy. His passion for music started at a young age when he first engaged with the local hip-hop scene. However, in the late '90s, he discovered reggae music and immediately fell in love with its sound and culture.

Since then, he has been collecting reggae records and embracing the genre in all its forms and fusions.

In 2000, alongside Mamed and Ciloozz, later joined by DJ Koma and Hairl, he co-founded the MACUME' SOUND sound system. Over the years, he has developed a distinct style, staying true to authentic reggae and dub traditions while experimenting with new sounds. Preferring originality over commercial dubplates, he has been producing riddims, remixes, and mashups to enrich his sets.

BissoMaN has also released two albums with Vaticaen Records and collaborated with artists from all over the world, across every continent, blending diverse influences to create unique musical experiences.

Recently, he became involved in a new music project called DUB.REBELS, further pushing his creative boundaries.

For downloads or inquiries, feel free to get in touch, some of his works and riddims are available upon request.
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New Album "HI Desert Sound System meets BissoMaN - Blessed Eyes" DL:
https://vaticaen.bandcamp.com/album/blessed-eyes?fbclid=IwAR2C2SVLKCpRNBWA8tqZwM3TOIHHcdVoNGyC3uc9Q1u9GlG1HeS2Uo3V-Ek
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Listen and download for free here:
 "Bombo Rockers Crew meets BissoMaN - The Holy Light - The Journey Goes On_Ep" Released by Vaticaen Record Apr 18, 2020
https://vaticaen.bandcamp.com/album/holy-light-the-journey-goes-on?fbclid=IwAR0sTXv6GGpMJVjz2xHS8wp0Ne2DY7_HKf07DdJI9iegCDyx3pWjUfl-_-g
————————————————————–
listen to the original sound system productions here: https://soundcloud.com/macume-snd
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the latest music project:
https://soundcloud.com/dubrebels
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the b-side project called: https://soundcloud.com/bissomash
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Artists and producers with whom he has collaborated and to whom he is grateful

https://soundcloud.com/hairl
https://soundcloud.com/jeanpauldub
https://soundcloud.com/drremix
https://soundcloud.com/i-rebel
https://soundcloud.com/kanijohacker
https://soundcloud.com/nandoman-dem
https://soundcloud.com/peenywally
https://soundcloud.com/country-hifi


Booking, Info and Collabs
Contact: Souncloud inbox or
abyss79@hotmail.com 

Good Listenin’
Nuff Love to everyone for  
visit, comments, sharing and like!

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