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.

  • Now Available: 2025 Annual M&A Outlook Survey – Automotive and Industrial & Manufacturing
    Dykema’s latest Annual M&A Outlook Survey is out, revealing where optimism is building across key sectors and highlighting the strategic considerations shaping M&A in 2025. From shifting market dynamics to emerging technology trends, the report offers a window into how dealmakers are navigating an evolving landscape.

    Explore the full 2025 Annual M&A Outlook Survey along with sector insights for Automotive and Industrial & Manufacturing.
  • Trending Up and Down: Recent Automotive Insights
    The automotive landscape is moving fast, from connected car privacy and advanced mobility to strategic M&A and AI developments. Our recent posts spotlight the trends gaining momentum and the challenges companies face as they respond to new technology, regulation, and market pressures.

    Get the latest insights on Data Privacy & Security, M&A, Advanced Mobility, and AI to see how automakers are responding to evolving risks, opportunities, and technology trends.
  • H1-B Updates: Employers and Workers
    H-1B employers and employees are contending with a changing legal landscape. Our recent legal alerts and thought leadership interviews provide key updates and practical guidance for companies and talent navigating visa requirements and workforce planning.

    Check out this October interview with Jim Aldrich and James Prappas, “Are H1-Bs a Viable Option for the Automotive Industry,” and our September alert, “ Trump Administration and H-1BS — $100,000 Fee and Investigations of Labor Condition Applications,” for deeper insights.
  • Dykema Drives Auto Webinar: AI and Mobility: Steering the Legal Road Ahead (October 8, 2025)
    Speaker Mike Word discussed how AI is transforming the automotive industry, touching on key AI concepts, current and emerging applications, and the evolving global regulatory landscape, among other things.

    Interested in learning more about AI and mobility? Contact Mike Word to discuss the topic further or to schedule a presentation for your organization.
  • MEMA Morning Grind | Side by Side: Navigating Antitrust Risks for Supplier Teams
    On October 7, Howard Iwrey and Mark Chutkow led a MEMA Morning Grind session on recognizing and mitigating antitrust risks for supplier teams. To learn more or stay ahead of the curve, contact Howard or Mark.

Upcoming

  • Dykema’s Jay Logel will be a featured panelist on “Communicating Safety to Key Stakeholders” at SAE’s Automated Transportation Symposium on November 5. The session covers how ADS developers can communicate safety strategies effectively to regulators, partners, and the public. Attending SAE? Don’t miss Jay’s insights on balancing transparency, technical detail, and stakeholder trust.
  • Dykema Drives Auto Webinar, Session #6 – Connected Vehicles: Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Compliance in Motion on November 6, 2025. Register here.

    Connected vehicles bring both innovation and legal complexity. Join Dante Stella and Michelle Mayfield as they discuss cybersecurity risks, regulatory scrutiny, and the rise of privacy-driven litigation, highlighting practical steps automakers can take to mitigate liability and ensure compliance. Stay ahead of evolving laws while protecting data, systems, and consumer trust.
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Photo of Laura C. Baucus Laura C. Baucus

Laura Baucus is a results-oriented litigator and business attorney with experience delivering consistent results to clients in the automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and financial services industries. Ms. Baucus has worked both as outside counsel and as seconded in-house counsel. She is the Director of…

Laura Baucus is a results-oriented litigator and business attorney with experience delivering consistent results to clients in the automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and financial services industries. Ms. Baucus has worked both as outside counsel and as seconded in-house counsel. She is the Director of Dykema’s 140+ attorney Automotive Industry Group, the immediate past Leader of the firm’s Financial Services Litigation Practice, a Leader in Dykema’s COVID-19 Task-Force, the originator of the firm’s Supply Chain Group, the Manager of a firm OEM client-service team, and the immediate past Manager of the firm’s largest Michigan office.

Ms. Baucus regularly counsels clients on force majeure and related contract performance options. Her litigation practice focuses on procurement and supply chain, recalls, warranty and cost recovery, contract termination, tooling recovery, Uniform Commercial Code issues, and financial services.  Her contract practice includes negotiating and drafting supply contracts and other commercial agreements for automotive and other manufacturing companies, including terms and conditions. Ms. Baucus also manages national portfolios of lawsuits for some of the nation’s largest residential mortgage servicers.

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Photo of Michael R. Carey Michael R. Carey

Michael Carey is trial lawyer with experience in complex commercial litigation and products liability defense. With his creative and authentic approach to jury presentation, Mr. Carey has taken numerous cases to successful verdict in state and federal courts across the country. In addition…

Michael Carey is trial lawyer with experience in complex commercial litigation and products liability defense. With his creative and authentic approach to jury presentation, Mr. Carey has taken numerous cases to successful verdict in state and federal courts across the country. In addition to his trial work, Mr. Carey has defended and prosecuted appeals before the Minnesota Appellate Courts and the Eighth and Ninth Circuits.

In addition to his trial and appellate practice, Mr. Carey serves as co-leader of the Firm’s Mobility and Advanced Transportation Team. He counsels mobility industry clients on proactive risk mitigation strategies relating to Automated Driving Systems (ADS) and other advanced automotive safety technologies. He is also frequently called on to publish and present on legal issues and advances in this emerging field.

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