MACKINAC, Mich. – Devin Scillian took this week's episode of Flashpoint to Mackinac Island to talk with Bill Ford, Jr., the Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company, about the auto industry.
Ford talked about how gas prices have affected the industry this year and the impact of electric vehicles. Those factors, combined with the improved fuel economy of newer model cars, have caused a major shift in the auto industry.
"The whole equation's changed dramatically," Ford said. "We decided at Ford that, back in our darkest days, we decided that we really needed to reinvent our company as we went through the toughest time. And, back then, the No. 1 reason people rejected Ford was perceived fuel economy. Se we said 'what if we can take our biggest weakness and turn it into our biggest strength?' And we've done that, and it's great. Therefore, it's changed everything."
The conversation continued and covered a few other major topics within the auto industry. You can see the whole segment in the video posted above.
After the break, Devin was joined at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island by the Flashpoint panel to talk about Detroit schools and what's next for Mayor Mike Duggan.
Sandy Baruah, President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber, said the mayor was clearer than he's ever been Wednesday when addressing the needs of Detroit schools. He said that the governor and mayor are now surprisingly aligned on the big issues, which he says is hugely positive.
Nolan Finley of the Detroit News thinks the governor is faced with another tough sell. He said many officials aren't interested in Duggan's plan for the schools.
"It is a foundation that we build everything from," said Rep. Brenda Lawrence of the schools' importance. "Creating a workforce that employers will be attracted to our state to come and work. It defines us. You can be wealthy, but if you're known for poor education, you're not going to have people wanting to relocate here."
Lawrence said she is encouraged that she has leadership in Duggan and Snyder to lead this.
Stephen Henderson of the Detroit Free Press said it's time to bond the state's debt all out and reset the table.
You can see the entire conversation in the video posted below.
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The panel returned in the third segment to talk about one of the biggest issues that haunts the state of Michigan: The condition of its roads.
Baruah said that, on stage, there wasn't as much progress as they'd hoped. He said both republican and democratic leaders were working on the issue this week.
Devin asked Lawrence to talk about Debbie Dingell's comments that leaders "need to get some balls" on moving forward with a plan to fix the roads. Lawrence said leaders in Michigan don't have the luxury to wait on this decision. She said she believes that leaders need to make a tough decision and put a plan in motion.
Finley said officials ran a very orchestrated campaign last week to pin the blame on lawmakers. Henderson said he doesn't have much hope that this group of lame duck legislators will be any more courageous.
Click on the video below to watch the rest of the third segment.
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