George Alvarez

👩‍💻 Are Zoox and Waymo Automotive Companies or Tech Companies? Five years ago, I made a significant shift in my career: moving from supporting some of the world’s most innovative high-tech customers to working in the automotive industry. It wasn’t just a change of industries— it was stepping into a space where hardware meets AI, where vehicle safety meets software reliability, and where two massive industries are colliding to redefine mobility. As I immersed myself in this new world, one question kept coming up — both for the companies leading the charge and for professionals like me: 🤔 Are companies like Zoox and Waymo automotive companies, tech companies, or something entirely new? Zoox, acquired by Amazon in 2020, is building a fully autonomous vehicle from the ground up — not retrofitting existing models. This places it firmly in the automotive realm for engineering, safety, and manufacturing. But its true edge is its software stack: perception, localization, motion planning, and fleet orchestration — capabilities traditionally owned by robotics and AI firms. Waymo, born from Google’s self-driving project, took a different approach. By partnering with OEMs like Jaguar and Chrysler, it integrates its autonomy platform into existing vehicles. This positions Waymo less as a manufacturer and more as a mobility technology platform, akin to how Android powers various smartphone brands. 🤔 Why Does this matter you might ask? This distinction influences how these companies operate: 👉 Capital Structure: Automotive requires heavy investment in factories and regulatory approval; tech prioritizes software, cloud, and data infrastructure. 👉 Business Models: Automakers sell vehicles; tech companies license platforms or charge per use. 👉 Regulation: Automotive focuses on crash safety and production standards; tech focuses on cybersecurity, AI ethics, and data compliance. 👉 Talent: Automotive attracts mechanical and operational expertise; tech attracts AI, software, and cloud talent. Zoox integrates both worlds — building vehicle + software. Waymo focuses on scaling autonomy software across partners. 🤔 The real answer may not be “automotive” or “tech.” Both companies are moving toward Mobility-as-a-Service — deploying autonomous fleets that could reshape urban transport. Ownership gives way to orchestration: fleets, logistics, and city-scale mobility infrastructure. The automotive and technology industries are no longer separate lanes — they’re converging into a new mobility ecosystem. Zoox and Waymo sit at the center of this transformation, challenging legacy categories. ✅ The question of automotive or tech? is certainly outdated. The answer might be: both — and something more. #AutonomousVehicles #MobilityInnovation #AutomotiveIndustry #MobilityTech #SoftwareDefinedVehicles #FutureOfTransportation #MobilityAsAService #InnovationStrategy

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We talk a lot about "systems," but we’re actually talking about people. 15 years in automotive has taught me one hard truth: A vehicle isn't just a collection of ISO standards. It’s a promise of safety to the person in the Vehicle vicinity. When we look at the intersection of Functional Safety (ISO 26262) and Cybersecurity (ISO 21434), it’s easy to get lost in the technical jargon. But here is the reality of the "Safety-Security Nexus" shown in the image below: Functional Safety is about protecting the humans from the machine’s mistakes. Cybersecurity is about protecting the machine from the world's malice. If these two teams aren't talking to each other, we aren't just failing an audit—we’re failing to the People. Throughout my career, I’ve found that true Operational Resilience (that sweet spot in the middle) only happens when we break down the silos. It’s about building a culture where the security expert and the safety engineer solve problems together at the same whiteboard. At the end of the day, the people just want to get home safely. Let’s design for them. To my fellow leaders: How are you making sure your teams aren't just "compliant," but actually collaborative? Are we bridging the gap early enough in the concept phase? Let’s discuss below. 👇 #FunctionalSafety #Cybersecurity #ISO26262 #ISO21434 #OperationalResilience #SDV #EngineeringCulture

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#Toyota said on Thursday its worldwide output and sales rose for a fourth consecutive month in April on strong demand for hybrid vehicles. #ToyotaEmployee https://lnkd.in/gCfH-GRy

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Torc Robotics has officially expanded autonomous truck testing to public roads in Michigan, alongside Daimler Truck North America, and in partnership with Michigan Economic Development Corporation. New roads. New conditions. Real-world validation. Another milestone on the long road to safe, scalable commercialization. https://bit.ly/4s7Px6b #TorcDriven

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[BLOG] Automotive Technician Job Description Tip: Add This Simple Link to Build Immediate Trust If the ads that you post online don’t grab attention and build immediate trust with techs, you’re dead in the water. Trust is the fuel that drives the entire application process forward. You have to create that trust right away inside the ad, or you don’t get applications, you don’t get callbacks and you end up not filling open positions. In this short post, I’m going to show you a simple link that you can insert into your ads to build immediate trust with technicians so you can get them to read and respond to your ads. Read more... https://bit.ly/3MD6P7F #technicianfind #automotive #technician #mechanic #technicians #hiring #autorepairshop #automotiverepair #automotiverepairpro #recruiting #automotivetraining #automotiveconsulting #dieselmechanic #autorepair

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General Motors published a case study last week that should change how operations leaders think about AI ROI. What happened, in GM’s own words: → Routine quality check at GM’s Fort Wayne Assembly plant identified a potential missed weld → The batch potentially affected: 5,600 vehicles → Traditional response: manual inspection of all 5,600 units. Days of work. → With AI: Fort Wayne’s Digital Line Assistance (DLA) sensor data combined with ML analysis narrowed the suspects to fewer than 10 vehicles in hours → Outcome: 9 affected vehicles caught before leaving the plant Welds hold the skeleton of a vehicle together. Missing them is a safety issue. Catching 9 unsafe vehicles among 5,600 is the kind of operational outcome that’s hard to argue with. What’s notable about this case is what it isn’t: → Not a generative AI story → Not an autonomous vehicle story → Not a chatbot story → Not a $14B acquihire or a frontier model → Sensor data + ML on a manufacturing line The boring AI use cases — the ones that don’t show up at CES or in funding announcements — are the ones already producing measurable outcomes. Three reads: Builder: ML on sensor telemetry remains one of the highest-leverage applications because the data is already being captured, the success criteria are unambiguous, and the failure mode of the alternative (manual inspection) is well-understood. Look for similar telemetry-rich workflows in your stack. Exec: The ROI math here is concrete and defensible — labor hours saved, vehicles caught, warranty cost avoided, brand risk mitigated. Make this case to your board before making the case for generative AI deployments. The credibility you build on the boring win funds the ambitious one. Consultant: Operating leaders are tired of slide decks about AI’s future. Bring them case studies like this — specific plant, specific problem, specific outcome — and the conversation changes. The advisory motion is now “find the unsexy ML wins in your existing data.” What this isn’t: a verdict on GM’s overall AI strategy. The piece is a published case study with obvious commercial interest in highlighting a clean outcome. What it is: a specific, dated, named example of AI delivering measurable operational value in a US manufacturing plant. Most LinkedIn AI commentary skips this entire register. It shouldn’t. Disclosure: I use Claude (Anthropic’s AI) in my research and writing workflow. Sources in comments. #theread #nirvanaconsultingcompany #ainirvana #autodoc #autodoctors #aiinautomotive #gm #automotive #cars #chicago

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In the latest Michigan is Automobility report, MichAuto has identified the forces of change shaping the future of the automotive industry, identifying both weaknesses that threaten global leadership and strengths that reinforce it. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gS-_i4fZ

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UVeye’s inspection capabilities have grown. And so have the vehicles it’s inspecting. The provider of artificial intelligence-powered vehicle inspection technology said it has expanded its automated systems to support commercial fleets, including Class 6-8 trucks and buses.

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Catalytic converters don’t just “go bad.” There’s almost always an upstream issue, and knowing the cause is what separates a quick fix from a long-term solution. When shops understand the real causes, everybody wins: fewer comebacks, better diagnostics, and happier customers.

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Big news like this feels personal. General Motors is investing $830 million across three U.S. propulsion sites to support the next generation of full-size trucks and SUVs and the people and communities behind them. #IWorkForGM

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GAMIC - Global Automotive & Mobility Innovation Challenge KEY NOTE SPEAKERS. April 14, 2026 - SAE-WCX Detroit, MI. The GAMIC 18 Finals at SAE International WCX aren't just a competition. They're a gathering of people doing consequential work at the intersection of automotive, mobility, technology, and industry — and the speaker lineup reflects that. KEY NOTE SPEAKERS GAMIC - Global Automotive & Mobility Innovation Challenge Christopher Borroni-Bird - "Sustainable and Affordable Mobility for All" Founder, Afreecar LLC; Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company and EVage Motors Over a 25-year career spanning Waymo, Qualcomm, MIT Media Lab, General Motors, and FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Christopher Borroni-Bird has been at the center of some of the most significant advances in autonomy, connectivity, and electrification. He holds more than 50 patents related to future mobility technologies and now advises organizations navigating the next wave of transformation. Michael F. - "From Prototype to Production: The Reality of Industrial Readiness" President, IAV Automotive Engineering, Inc., North America Michael Frans leads growth and strategic partnerships for IAV across North America, working at the intersection of engineering, software, and business strategy. With more than 20 years in the industry, his focus spans software-defined vehicles, advanced propulsion, and connecting engineering innovation to real-world product execution. Nicholas Myers - "The Future of Rare Earth Refining in America" Co-Founder and CEO, Phoenix Tailings Nicholas Myers co-founded Phoenix Tailings to solve one of the more overlooked problems in the energy transition: transforming mining waste into rare earth metals and critical materials with zero toxic byproducts or direct carbon emissions. His work on domestic supply chains for advanced manufacturing puts him at the intersection of cleantech, industrial resilience, and critical minerals. Jamie Butters - GAMIC FINALS - MASTER OF CEREMONIES Founder of Butters Bureau LLC and one of Detroit's most respected automotive journalists, with more than 25 years covering the industry across Automotive News, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal Journal, and beyond. Nine finalists. One stage. Real decisions being made. Attendance at the GAMIC 18 Finals is included with SAE International WCX registration. Details at https://lnkd.in/g82T3nUa #GAMIC18 #SAE #SAEWCX #Mobility #FutureOfMobility #CleanTech #AutomotiveInnovation

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Want to Work for GM, Ford, or Stellantis? Master These 3 Skills First. Dreaming of a career at Michigan’s automotive giants like General Motors, Ford, or Stellantis? Before you send out that résumé, make sure you’ve mastered the skills they’re really looking for: 1. Advanced Manufacturing Technology Skills From robotics to automated assembly lines, today’s auto plants demand tech-savvy workers. Understanding programmable logic controllers (PLCs), machine diagnostics, or even 3D printing gives you a major edge. 2. Data & Quality Control Analysis Big auto is driven by data. Employers need team members who can interpret production data, spot quality issues fast, and keep operations lean. Familiarity with Six Sigma or statistical process control (SPC) is a bonus. 3. Adaptability to Fast-Changing Work Environments The auto industry is shifting fast—think EVs, AI, and supply chain innovation. Companies want workers who can think critically, learn quickly, and thrive in high-tech, fast-paced environments. 💼 Want in? Don’t just apply—prepare. These three skills can get you noticed and in the door. #Michigan #Jobs #AutoCareers #GMJobs #FordCareers #StellantisJobs #WorkforceDevelopment #GetHired #JobFairGiant

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Your current tools probably have dashboards full of metrics too. But are they actually working together? With one Automotive AI Operating System orchestrating chat, sales, service, and marketing, performance compounds. These aren't projections. They're what happens when dealers stop duct-taping tools together and start running on a unified foundation. What are your current conversion and retention rates? We'll wait. See the Data: https://lnkd.in/gKwyDs6A

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Want to Work for GM, Ford, or Stellantis? Master These 3 Skills First. Dreaming of a career at Michigan’s automotive giants like General Motors, Ford, or Stellantis? Before you send out that résumé, make sure you’ve mastered the skills they’re really looking for: 1. Advanced Manufacturing Technology Skills From robotics to automated assembly lines, today’s auto plants demand tech-savvy workers. Understanding programmable logic controllers (PLCs), machine diagnostics, or even 3D printing gives you a major edge. 2. Data & Quality Control Analysis Big auto is driven by data. Employers need team members who can interpret production data, spot quality issues fast, and keep operations lean. Familiarity with Six Sigma or statistical process control (SPC) is a bonus. 3. Adaptability to Fast-Changing Work Environments The auto industry is shifting fast—think EVs, AI, and supply chain innovation. Companies want workers who can think critically, learn quickly, and thrive in high-tech, fast-paced environments. 💼 Want in? Don’t just apply—prepare. These three skills can get you noticed and in the door. #Michigan #Jobs #AutoCareers #GMJobs #FordCareers #StellantisJobs #WorkforceDevelopment #GetHired #JobFairGiant

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Want to Work for GM, Ford, or Stellantis? Master These 3 Skills First. Dreaming of a career at Michigan’s automotive giants like General Motors, Ford, or Stellantis? Before you send out that résumé, make sure you’ve mastered the skills they’re really looking for: 1. Advanced Manufacturing Technology Skills From robotics to automated assembly lines, today’s auto plants demand tech-savvy workers. Understanding programmable logic controllers (PLCs), machine diagnostics, or even 3D printing gives you a major edge. 2. Data & Quality Control Analysis Big auto is driven by data. Employers need team members who can interpret production data, spot quality issues fast, and keep operations lean. Familiarity with Six Sigma or statistical process control (SPC) is a bonus. 3. Adaptability to Fast-Changing Work Environments The auto industry is shifting fast—think EVs, AI, and supply chain innovation. Companies want workers who can think critically, learn quickly, and thrive in high-tech, fast-paced environments. 💼 Want in? Don’t just apply—prepare. These three skills can get you noticed and in the door. #Michigan #Jobs #AutoCareers #GMJobs #FordCareers #StellantisJobs #WorkforceDevelopment #GetHired #JobFairGiant

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The cockpit of the future will be less futuristic. Excellent piece on how automakers are adding more physical knobs and buttons to vehicle instrument panels instead of putting everything on a touch screen. I’ve been writing about this devolution for years. The volume button was one of the only survivors for awhile as touch screens took over, but now automakers are putting back more knobs and buttons even though they add cost. #cockpitofthefuture

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Two years ago we shared big news out of Northern Michigan: The Sleeping Bear Dunes would deploy a new autonomous bus thanks to a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Transportation, MI Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, ADASTEC Corp., and several others. Now, the ADASTEC team has overseen more than 600 miles of fully autonomous driving throughout the park. How did the bus perform? Why does this matter for the mobility industry? Get answers to these question and more in a new article from Cemre Kavvasoglu, ADASTEC's North America Operations Director: https://lnkd.in/eyTVxc7T

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EDUCATION AND THE MOBILITY INDUSTRY MichAuto, the association that is dedicated to promoting and growing the auto industry in the state, released its State of Mobility 2025 report on Dec. 10. Among its top findings were the following: Michigan's auto industry must innovate and attract new talent to maintain its global leadership position. The state faces intense competition from China, which is rapidly advancing in EV technology and production. Improving K-12 education, infrastructure, and affordable housing is crucial for attracting a skilled workforce. "Whether you work in the factory or on the connected vehicle, all jobs are requiring a higher degree of digital interface and skilled training," said Glenn Stevens, CEO of MichAuto. However, the industry faces a perception crisis among youth, with many indicating they would not consider it for a career. Many cite a lack of awareness of jobs beyond engineering and manufacturing, unclear educational pathways, and misunderstood working conditions as the reasons for not considering a career in the auto industry, the report said. Stevens said the industry must change those perceptions. While I found manufacturing and sales numbers quite interesting, I was shocked by how poorly we are preparing our students for the jobs of the future - both in autos and elsewhere. "We’re in a competition for technical talent at all levels with everyone," Stevens said. An area in the high schools that needs attention is with providing counselors to show young people the way into an autos job, that's especially important given that the current autos workforce, especially in the factories, are aging out. While the American School Counselors Association recommends a 250-to-1 ratio of students to school counselors, the national average is actually 376-to-1 for the 2023-24 school year (most recent available). MICHIGAN RANKS SECOND TO LAST AMONG STATES WITH A RATIO OF 573-to1! Once again, it is Michigan’s Educational Structure that is failing our students! https://lnkd.in/gj-cJRT9

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DETROIT — Ford Motor's head of electric vehicles and software is leaving the automaker as it restructures its executives and operations. Ford on Wednesday said Doug Field — chief EV, digital and design officer — has "elected to leave the company after a transition over the next month." A release announcing the move mentioned a "next chapter" for Field, but the executive declined to disclose specific plans on a Wednesday call with media. Field's departure was announced in conjunction with Ford detailing a new executive structure that includes the establishment of a "Product Creation and Industrialization" organization at the company that will be led by Ford veteran and Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra.

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