Join us at the Intersection of Influence. Investment. Innovation.

The automobile has become the critical platform of innovation and investment sparking tectonic change across the U.S. industrial base. The speed of innovation is dependent upon access to capital through investments by institutional investors, public markets, private equity, VCs, and government funding. Today, government policies and regulations are playing a bigger role in shaping future industries than ever before. Where will investors focus as innovation competes for capital? The U.S. auto industry supports 10 million jobs, 5 percent of GDP and pumps $1 trillion into the economy every year. What will tomorrow bring?

Electrification…Connectivity…Automation

From innovations and investments in roads and bridges, to new sensors and communication technologies, to new demands on energy supply, connectivity, data and AI, raw materials, and manufacturing, the automobile has become the global catalyst for the next wave of industrial innovation. How does public policy accelerate investment in innovation or detract from it?

What impact will the 2024 elections have on automotive policy and the environment to invest in innovation?

What are the emerging business models for investment and who are the players bringing those to market?

Find out on December 3rd at The Merge 2024.

MAJOR THEMES:

• Converging Sectors: The Emergence of the New Auto Industry

• Policy: The Intersection of Influence, Investment, and Innovation

• The EV Transition: New Infrastructure for a New Industry

• Competition: The Changing Global Map

• Underwriting the Transformation: Deploying Capital Profitably

7:45am-8:30 am: Continental Breakfast & Networking

8:30 am-8:45 am: Welcome: John Bozzella, President & CEO, Auto Innovators 

8:45 am-9:10 am: Fireside Chat – John Bozzella and Jeremie Papin, President, Nissan North American 

9:15 am-10:05 am: Session #1: The EV Transition: New Infrastructure for a New Industry

10:05 am-10:20 am: Break & Networking  

10:20 am-11:10 am: Session #2: The Convergence of AV, Safety, and Technology

11:10-am-11:45 am: Fireside Chat: John Bozzella and Paul Jacobson, CFO, General Motors 

11:45 pm-12:45 pm:  Buffet Lunch & Networking

12:50 pm-1:50 pm: Session #3: The Future of EV Investments 

1:55 pm-2:10 pm: Break & Networking 

2:15 pm-3:05 pm: Session #4: 5G Automotive Innovation and Connectivity

3:10 pm –  3:40 pm: Fireside Chat  - John Bozzella and The Honorable Dan Brouillette, 15^th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy

3:40 pm-4:00 pm: Academic Partnership Announcement & Closing Remarks 

4:00 pm-5:00 pm: Networking Reception  

Session #1: The EV Transition: New Infrastructure for a New Industry

Consider the energy sector. The adoption of electric vehicles not only depends on access to a robust and reliable charging and refueling infrastructure, but also significant private and public investment in upgrades to our nation’s electric grid.

What is the state of the energy grid? Can it accommodate more electric vehicles? What role will renewable energy play in creating additional supply? What level of investment is needed from the private sector and government sources to establish a robust and reliable charging and refueling network?

Session #2: The Convergence of AV, Safety and Technology

The automobile brings together advanced technologies, faster connectivity, expanded infotainment, greater convenience, and enhanced safety in one package.

This convergence of vehicle technologies requires changes to sourcing, design, manufacturing, partnerships, distribution and most importantly, capital.

Hear from industry leaders about this convergence and what it means to their respective business, including how public policy is either speeding up or slowing down key investments.

Session #3: The Future of EV Investments

The U.S. industrial base was built for the 20th century, mass production based on stable global trade and reliable supply chains. But so much has changed. The EV transition alone creates a new, high growth industry within an industry.  Hear from industry leaders about what impact China will have on the global auto industry over the next 2-5 years. Will global automotive markets be a place for fair competition? What’s the roadmap to build and secure the supply chain to accelerate the EV transition?

Key insights will be shared on where investors can capitalize on changing business models, and the opportunity to new investments to fill key gaps.

Session #4: 5G Automotive Innovation and Connectivity

The disruptive impact of automotive innovations is starting to redraw the competitive boundary lines of whole economies, their underlying industries, and the consumers they serve. The transition to EVs, the advent of AVs, the power of high-speed network connectivity, and the imperative of climate change are creating new competitive frontlines from sourcing critical minerals, to retooling manufacturing, to onboarding more advanced technologies that create new services.

Stability is key for investment; we'll delve into the importance of policy and regulatory certainty in the communication and connectivity arena. We'll explore case studies for how a stable environment, shaped by clear policies and regulations, paves the way for sustained investment in the automotive industry and related sectors.