Spring brings renewed momentum for the automotive industry as companies respond to shifting market conditions, regulatory changes, and continued innovation. In this Spring Edition of At the Wheel: An Automotive Roundup, Dykema’s Automotive, Mobility & Transportation (AMT) Group highlights recent thought leadership and looks ahead to upcoming events, including our signature Automotive Summit in August.

Now Available: 2026 Automotive Trends Report

Dykema’s fourth annual Automotive Trends Report is now available, offering legal insights informed by a survey of OEMs, suppliers, and other key industry stakeholders. The report examines trends across ten critical areas, including Supply Chain, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, and Artificial Intelligence.

Explore the full 2026 Automotive Trends Report.

Looking for a quick primer on the 2026 Automotive Trends Report? In “Signals Shaping U.S. Automotive Legal Priorities,” a recent interview with GlobalAutoIndustry.com, Laura Baucus, Director of Dykema’s Automotive, Mobility and Transportation Group, shares key takeaways drawn from this year’s report, including:

  • Where legal risk is accelerating across the industry
  • The top concerns facing OEMs and suppliers
  • How AI and advanced mobility are reshaping the legal landscape

Listen to the full interview.

Dykema Drives Auto Webinar, Session #1: What to Do When the Government Comes Knocking: Guidance for Automotive Companies (March 24, 2026)

Speakers Jennifer Beidel, Mark Chutkow, and Sarah Douglas discussed how automotive companies can respond when government investigators arrive. The webinar outlined key differences between criminal search warrants, administrative ICE warrants, and warrantless visits, and provided practical guidance for OEMs, suppliers, and other industry participants.

To view a recording of this session and explore past Dykema Drives webinars, visit our full YouTube playlist.

Dykema Litigation Institute, Session #2 – 2026 Tariff Turbulence: IEEPA Tariffs, Supreme Court Fallout & Refund Strategies (March 26, 2026)

Speakers Joanne Zimolzak, John Rhoades, and Tina Toma discussed the rapidly evolving U.S. tariff landscape following the Supreme Court’s decision invalidating certain IEEPA tariffs. The webinar covered ongoing refund litigation before the Court of International Trade, key considerations for impacted companies, and practical steps to preserve claims and manage risk amid continued uncertainty.

What’s Ahead

We have an active lineup in the months ahead, with team members participating in key industry events across the country. We look forward to connecting and contributing to conversations shaping the industry. You’ll find us at the events below, with several of our attorneys featured as speakers:

  • ABA TIPS Motor Vehicle Product Liability Conference | April 15–17 | Scottsdale, AZ
    Speakers: Tamara Bush, Michael Carey, Lyndsey Jackson, Cassandra Nelson
  • IAM Live: Auto IP USA | April 16 | Detroit, MI
  • USPTO China IP Road Show | April 16 | Alexandra, VA
    Speaker: Tom Moga
  • 13th Annual Automotive Recalls Summit | April 28 | Royal Oak, MI
    Speakers: Mark Chutkow, Jay Logel
  • International Design Patent Protection: Developing a Global IP Strategy | April 30 | Live Webinar
    Speaker: Tom Moga
  • ACC Wisconsin Annual Chapter Conference & Meeting of Members | May 14-15 | Elkhart Lake, WI
    Speaker: Matthew Hayes

If you’re attending any of these events, we’d welcome a connection.

Dykema Drives Auto Webinar, Session #2 – Advanced Mobility: Shifting Risks, Evolving Rules on May 7, 2026. Register here.

As advanced mobility technologies such as ADAS, autonomous vehicles, and EVs continue to expand, legal and regulatory pressures are increasing. In this session, speakers Clay Cossé and Jay Logel will discuss emerging product liability and consumer claims, as well as evolving regulatory developments, including at NHTSA.

Dykema Drives Annual Automotive Legal Summit | August 13 | M1 Concourse

Registration is now open. 

Dykema’s Annual Automotive Legal Summit returns to M1 Concourse on August 13. This year’s program features a streamlined, high-impact format with fast-paced sessions, practical takeaways, and valuable networking opportunities.

We’ll kick things off with lunch and carry the momentum into the evening, culminating in high-speed track experiences. Designed for in-house legal and corporate professionals, the program will offer CLE credit and deliver an engaging day at the intersection of law and the automotive industry.

Register here.

Sign Up and Stay in the Know

Dykema’s automotive work began with repossessing cars. Today, we’re helping clients navigate the legal challenges of vehicles that can drive themselves. Over the past 100 years, our work has evolved alongside the industry, from regulatory shifts and product liability to the rise of connected and autonomous technology. As the industry changed, we changed with it.

Check out this video to learn more about our century-long journey with the automotive industry.

When government officials show up, seconds count. Join Dykema’s Automotive, Mobility, and Transportation team on March 24 for practical guidance on responding to criminal search warrants, administrative ICE warrants, and warrantless visits. Jennifer Beidel, Mark Chutkow, and Sarah Douglas will share real-world scenarios and provide actionable tips to help plant leadership, HR, and legal teams act quickly, lawfully, and consistently when officials arrive.

Don’t miss this session. Register now to stay prepared.

CLE accreditation is anticipated for California, Illinois, and Texas. Contact Laiza Goytia (lgoytia@dykema.com) with questions.

What does the future of mobility look like, and how are automakers planning to get there? In this 11-minute interview, Tom Moga, attorney and Member of Dykema, joins Ron Hesse to explore key questions facing automakers:

Continue Reading “The Next Auto Power Shift: Executive Decisions on China, Critical Minerals, and Electrification Strategy”

A new year brings fresh questions and new considerations for the automotive industry. It also marks a milestone for Dykema, as we celebrate our centennial this year. As we look toward the future, this Winter Edition of At the Wheel: An Automotive Roundup offers a sneak peek at our Automotive Legal Trends Survey with results evolving as the survey closes later this month and a preview of what’s ahead.

Continue Reading At the Wheel: Winter Edition
Acme Parts

Right to repair laws are giving consumers and independent repair shops greater access to parts and information. While these laws benefit consumers, they also create challenges for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and authorized suppliers, raising concerns about safety, privacy, and security. Intellectual property (IP) laws offer companies tools to protect their aftermarket business and maintain brand integrity.

Continue Reading 2025 IP Update and Year in Review: Navigating Right to Repair and What It Means for Brands in a Changing Aftermarket

A sudden change in State Department screening is triggering widespread visa interview delays, some extending into summer 2026. U.S. consulates are rescheduling confirmed appointments with little notice, potentially disrupting global mobility programs and critical automotive talent.  Employees abroad with expired visas may be unable to return to the U.S. Multiple visa categories are affected, and rescheduling options are limited.

Why automotive leaders should care: Visa interview delays can sideline critical engineering and mobility talent for months, disrupting launches, production schedules, and R&D timelines.

Read the full alert.

The Industrial & Manufacturing sector is poised for strong M&A activity in 2025, with more than 20% of respondents in Dykema’s latest M&A Outlook Survey identifying it as a focus. However, dealmakers are navigating challenges, including tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainty, factors that are reshaping how deals are evaluated and executed.

Click here for a closer look at the trends shaping Industrial & Manufacturing M&A. Report Link.

Click here to view the full M&A report: Report Link.

Optimism is building in the Automotive, Transportation, & Mobility sector, with 62% of respondents in Dykema’s latest M&A Outlook Survey expecting more deal activity in the year ahead. Key drivers include supply chain resiliency, labor solutions, and technology integration, particularly around electronic and autonomous platforms.

Continue Reading Automotive M&A: What’s Ahead

As the automotive industry heads into the final stretch of 2025, At the Wheel: An Automotive Roundup brings you the latest from Dykema’s Automotive, Mobility & Transportation group. In this Fall Edition, we catch up on trending topics, industry insights, and key takeaways from recent events, while giving a glimpse of what’s ahead.

Continue Reading At the Wheel: Fall Edition