For the Love of Cars: Why Michigan?

As a mystery author, I’m convinced that the greater the variety of facts you know, the more intrigue it’s possible to insert into a story. My books take place all around the world, from Florida to Michigan to Rome. You’d be surprised what kind of details come into play sometimes when I’m researching and writing thriller plots!

That’s why I think it’s helpful that I live as a snowbird, spending part of my year in Florida and part in Michigan. You can guess which parts are spent where.  😉 

One of the things Michigan is most well-known for is the auto industry, hence Detroit’s nickname Motor City. Like me, Judge Willa Carson moved to Tampa from Detroit. And like me, Willa loves everything about cars. Or, as Willa says in Due Justice, to Detroiters,  “Cars are the essence of life, itself.” 

Michigan didn’t become home to the Motor City just because Henry Ford happened to live there. Though that was one reason.

Here are some other reasons Detroit became the Motor City:

  • Detroit was near the country’s most well-established production centers.

  • Automotive executives in Detroit had a certain style of conducting business – they switched companies regularly, invested heavily in research, and launched spinoffs and startups liberally — much like Silicon Valley does today.

  • Detroit was close to the United States’ major centers of coal, iron, and copper mining.

  • Geographically, people could get to Detroit easily by water and land.

By 1915, 13 of the 15 most popular car brands in the country were headquartered in Detroit.

Now, Detroit is in a race with Silicon Valley to keep its claim to fame title of Motor City. Self-driving cars are being developed by General Motors, but over on the west coast Google is a major player in the autonomous car game, too. Here’s what the future of the auto industry could look like if Detroit remains behind the wheel:

Meanwhile —

Caffeinate and Carry On!

Diane Capri

p.s. Are you a member of the Diane Capri’s Exclusive Reading Group mailing list? It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up and refer your friends, too. You’ll be glad you did, I promise. Can’t wait to see you there!

 

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One Response to For the Love of Cars: Why Michigan?

  1. Roseanne February 23, 2017 at 7:46 pm #

    This is my favorite series, but I also enjoy several of your others as well. It wasn’t quite fair to only allow one vote in your recent email! ~smile~ I always enjoy your message – I usually learn something. Thank you!

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