The visit of a high-level delegation from the Piedmont Region to the Detroit metropolitan area and Ann Arbor, Michigan, from 22 to 25 April 2025, has come to a successful conclusion. The mission, according to the Italian consulate in Detroit, marked a significant step forward in transatlantic cooperation, highlighting the Italian innovation ecosystem and strengthening industrial, academic and institutional ties with Michigan. Led by Regional Councillor Andrea Tronzano, as well as Consul Allegra Baistrocchi, the delegation included institutional leaders, such as Michela Favaro (Deputy Mayor of Turin), Giulia Macron (Director of International Promotion of the Piedmont Region), Monica Mailander (President of Vehicle Valley), Stefano Nigro (General Manager of CEIPIEMONTE) and Pasqualino Andrea Talaia (Director of CAN Produzione Torino); university authorities, such as Stefano Geuna (Rector of the University of Turin) and Gianmario Pellegrino (Vice-Chancellor of the Turin Polytechnic); and executives from some of the most important industrial and automotive organisations in Piedmont, such as Pierpaolo Antonioli (President of Confindustria Piemonte and CEO of Dumarey Italia), Gianmarco Giorda (Director General of ANFIA, the Italian association of more than 520 companies in the automotive production chain), Fabrizio Mina (CEO of Italdesign USA) and Andrea Paviolo (Vice-President of MEC US, representing the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises).
The delegation participated in more than a dozen high impact meetings with key players in Michigan's mobility, manufacturing, and technology sectors. The group met with major automotive companies, including General Motors, Stellantis, Toyota, Rivian, Mullen, Bosch, Mayco and many others, and actively participated in the Vehicle & Transportation Technology Innovation Meeting (VTM) in Detroit, where the Piedmont Region presented its strategic vision and capabilities. At VTM, the Piedmont delegation presented its Automotive Ecosystem, a modern regional network that combines production, innovation and training. With 550 million euro worth of exports to Michigan in 2024 directly from the region, Piedmont has become a leading European hub for automotive and mechanical components. The presentation provided an opportunity to invite Michigan companies to attend Vtm 2026 in Turin, Italy, on 24 and 25 March. Meetings with MEDC, MichAuto, MEMA, and other regional institutions deepened bilateral collaboration on future mobility, electrification, and economic development. The delegation also met with Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II at NewLab Detroit, highlighting the shared innovation goals between Italy and Michigan.
Councillor Tronzano expressed his satisfaction with the mission: "Piedmont was told for what it is: an industrial, concrete, competitive territory, ready to collaborate." The mission ended with a round table at the Italian Consulate in Detroit with Michigan Defense, focusing on the aerospace sector. The meeting was followed by a visit to Ann Arbor, where delegates toured Ann Arbor SPARK, explored opportunities for collaboration with the University of Michigan, and met with the city's economic development officials. Consul Allegra Baistrocchi noted that 'this delegation reflects the strength and ambition of the relationship between Italy and Michigan. Piedmont and Michigan are natural partners in shaping the future of sustainable mobility, advanced manufacturing and research. We are proud of the significant ties established this week and look forward to the concrete collaborations that will follow'.
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