Carbon Blog
Let's Talk About Michigan
Ok, so the media, the feds, and most of America have continued to pile on about the issues in Michigan and specifically ‘Detroit’ (and you can include me in that both ‘on’ and ‘off’ the record). But let’s look at the other side of the coin for once, from a more practical point of view – without the emotion, the politics, etc.
Let’s start with the design. So you want to design an automotive or mobile industrial product? Do you know that although the virtual world of CAID/CAD/CAE/CAM is wonderful, sometimes going back and forth between the virtual world and the physical world is still required. And yes, that might include a full-size clay model and some package bucks. And where in the USA do they have the technical skill, capabilities, and talent to do that work – well its either Southern California or its Michigan – that’s pretty much it.
Well, now better start engineering the vehicle. There is not 1 other location in the entirety of the USA that has the technical skill base, suppliers, and the like to actually engineer a product like the Carbon E7. The foreign transplant OEMs might have placed their manufacturing plants primarily in the SouthEast but there technical centers are where? In Michigan. Oh, and where are the technical centers for the Tier 1 supply base? You guessed it, in Michigan.
Or sometimes its just minor things. So where is the local photography studio that has the equipment and talent and physical space to properly shoot a vehicle?
Oh, and did I mention that if we put a ‘Help Wanted’ sign on any of the more than abundant places we could utilize, we could staff up the balance of the team in a matter of days?
Tagged: police, police car, michigan, american jobs, carbon motors, e7, carbon e7, law enforcement, homeland security, detroit, william santana li
Comments
Life is where you make it!!!
I agree with your view, Michigan has the ability to help your organization in assembly production as well as media support. I have put a message into Stacy Dean Stephens and I will be attending your Michigan Rollout. Hopefully we will be able to meet to discuss your direction. 517 206 1256
I have spent a few hours looking over your site and more importantly, the product. The design offers a pleasing vehicle with purpose driven integration of enforcement's needs. The design demonstrates that considerable time, fore thought, energy and investment can result in a clean vehicle that will perform and function beyond the customer's expectations. You do have a winner here Mr. Li and my only hope is that you do choose Michigan as a participant in bringing this vehicle to market. In looking over your team profiles it is clear that you are fully aware of what the local talent pool provides Carbon Motors Corp. Best wishes going forward.
It's true. Due to the horrific economic conditions in Michigan, if you were to hang up a 'Help Wanted' sign one morning in Detroit, you'd have pile of résumés from well qualified unemployed people (like me) by the afternoon.
Love the design of the car, and all of the well thought design elements. I am an out of work Designer, I used to work at Ford and other suppliers in the Detroit area. This project is exciting to me and would love to return to work on something like this!
Mr. Li, I am a 12 year veteran law enforcement officer and patrol supervisor at an 80+ officer department, I found the E7 to be quite advanced and attractive. I atteneded the Tour at BASF in Southfield, Mi. and found a couple of things that really stood out right away regarding officer safety and patrol vehicle tactics that I feel should be strongly considered prior to production of the E7. I have signed up to be on the Carbon Council and am awaiting the approval. Once approved, I will share the concerns I have. The vehicle is amazing. At 6'7" and 290lbs, I have a difficult time finding comfort in our standard Crown Vic and Explorer vehicles we are currently using. The E7 is roomy as I was sitting in it with full duty gear on. I look forward to sharing my ideas and input with all involved. As far as Michigan being a state to consider for prodution, I'm all for it. There's no doubt you will have a strong, competitive work group to make this vehicle the Strongest, Safest police vehicle on the road. We in Law Enforcement always say, if you don't make it to your destination, you 're no use to your partners. Thank You for all your hard work and dedication to our profession.
dear Mr. Li Im a current Ford employee with no plans of goin anywhere! I love Michigan and think it would be a great place for such an exciting and important product! I would love to see my Hard working neighbors be able to build the best police vehicle possible! I have always wished that Ford would have done this for our men in uniform! We here in Michigan have the competance and the know how on how to help You achieve your goals and aspirations to build this car! Hey you never know You could possibly spin this into another great american car company that would ship your product all over the world!!!Thank You Very Much for Your Consideration in Michigan!
Mr. Li , Question: When do you plan to announce your production location?
We are an automotive supplier who would love to see an assembly plant start up in Michigan vs. shut down in Michigan, how can we help?
Mr. Li, I read this week that Plymouth, MI is on your "short list". While it has been 18 years since I served as police chief in Plymouth, I can tell you that it is a wonderful community that would embrace Carbon Motors. Even though I'm way out west now, family is all back in Michigan, and everyone has given up on that state that put automobiles in the center of American culture. As a former Ford guy, you'd love Plymouth, there are many current and retired Ford folks there. More importantly, it would provide metro Detroit with the first real shot in the arm in a long time. I don't have a dog in this fight, being in the Rockies, other than a future customer of your product, but I'd be most proud to have my cops driving a police car built in Plymouth! Besides, what other city are you contemplating that used to have a car named after it???
the birth place of the automobile is the only place for the next great achivement in the auto motive world to be born !!
Bill, does the E7 have an electric blend door for heat?
You would find tons of talented designers and engineers in Michigan. I would be very interested in design work for a company that helps out the Great men & women in Law Enforcement. Working in the safety and interior of automobiles for 17+ years you have a very interesting product. I first saw this on a local TV news broadcast and had to see more about the company and vehicle.
Rick, that is hilarious that you remember the electric blend door bit from all the way back in 1993. Quite a memory! Hope all is well.
Kudos to Michigan. I've been in this industry for 30 years with a couple of precision machining operations and having traveled the country, Michigan knows best the automotive industry and it's now strict requirements. But..please learn the difference between their and there. Sorry, I'm a editing junkie! Blessings, Tom
My thanks to the editing police, Tom! Correction made...
STATUS IN MICHIGAN AS OF 28 Mar 2009: Unfortunately, I personally have not had much interaction with the team there other than to receive Governor Granholm's gracious letter. I look forward to learning more, although having lived there for ten years in a past life, I am pretty familiar with the long list of pros and some of the cons. Certainly a volatile and defining moment in time for Michigan...
Mr. Li: I must say it emphatically: choose Michigan. As you describe in your blog post, Michigan can provide what few states can match in terms of talent, history, and support for the automotive industry. You company's growth depends on access to resources unique to building cars, and Michigan can provide the foundation necessary for profitability. Additionally, Plymouth is the perfect community to establish your roots. It's centrally located with easy access to Ann Arbor and Detroit. You would be minutes away from the engineering talent at the University of Michigan - which produced Google's Larry Page - the automotive infrastructure in Wayne and Oakland counties, and a major airport to carry you around the country. The people of Plymouth are friendly, welcoming, and first-class in supporting new businesses. I could not recommend a better home for Carbon Motors Corporation. As a long-time Plymouth resident, where my family has lived for over four generations, I would be happy to talk with you further about the community. Please contact me at the above-provided email address. Sincerely, Robert Dean
Lived in Mich all my life,worked in export/import busines over 40 yrs. Seen companies grow in Mich and spread over the midwest for all automotive products. I represent Reliable Transportation Specialists,inc. (no not the orange carrier) We are located in Detroit. Anytime your ready I would love to see what your shipping plans are and how we can help you. Plymouth is just a few miles from rail roads and other modes of transportation. This is a family owned company that believes in staying open and working with the people at RTSI to stay working. Thanks for the time. Awesome looking vehicles! Regards Denys Agius
If you need office space in transitioning to Michigan, The North Woodward Technology Incubator along with its partners might be able to provide you with some space. Email me for more information.
Mr. Li, Crain's Detroit reported Carbon Motors considering a site in Plymouth MI. I wish to welcome you and your organization. I am employed with Digital Image Studios. We are the premier provider of 3D CGI in the modwest. I invite you to check us out at www.dimage.com. We are here to assist your team. All my Best, Richard Roy
I have always had an interest in custom Police cars and would love the chance to built them !
You ask, Mr. Li, if there are great photographers and studios available in Michigan. Absolutely! Lots. Because of the auto business, there are many studios with all the lighting, coves, doors, stages sized to accommodate shooting vehicles of all sorts. There are experienced photographers who shoot here and all over the country and the world. There are retouchers and print production people who understand how to show cars to their best advantage. And it isn't like there are a few people who understand this. You'd have choices. There's depth. I would be happy to help you connect with several photographers and arrange a tour at your convenience. It would be safe to say, no other place in the country has the concentration of talent to help you realize your dreams for Carbon Motors than what you'll find in Michigan. Brogan & Partners does advertising/marketing. I personally know ten photographers without thinking hard about it that would make an impressive presentation to you. Please let me know if there is any way I can help you and your team take a closer look at Michigan. It's a great place to live and work. Regards and good luck, Bonnie Folster
Add a Comment
Please wait… 
Carbon Council
Join The Carbon Council and you can provide feedback, make suggestions, participate in contests, surveys, forums, design reviews and more.
« Back to Blog