Originally published by Authority Magazine
As a part of our series about “Vehicles Of The Future: Leading Edge Technologies That Are Making Cars & Trucks Smarter, Safer, and More Sustainable” we had the pleasure of interviewing Bernard Swiecki.
Bernard Swiecki is the Vice President of Mobility and Research at the Detroit Regional Partnership, where he leads industry research and strategy for the initiative as the Detroit Region works to strengthen its global leadership in advanced mobility and the automotive sector. In this role, Bernard oversees comprehensive research efforts that help connect and grow the region’s mobility ecosystem, supporting original equipment manufacturers, suppliers, startups, and other stakeholders as they adapt to rapid technological change. Before joining the Detroit Regional Partnership, he spent many years at the Center for Automotive Research, where he served as Senior Director of Research and Director of the Automotive Communities Partnership, managing diverse research programs and leading international trade missions. Bernard holds a Master of Science in Information Systems from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan. He is also a member of the Society of Automotive Analysts and the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Thank you so much for joining us! Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
One of the most interesting parts of my career is how it began. I was hired as an intern at the Center for Automotive Research and originally brought in for a specific computer skills role. My interviewer saw potential in me and essentially recruited me into a different position. What started as a favor turned into a long-term career. That experience shaped how I think about careers in mobility. You may start out hired to do one thing and end up doing something entirely different. Being open to that evolution has been a defining part of my professional journey as I am now currently vice president of mobility and research within the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) at the Detroit Regional Partnership.
Can you tell our readers about the most interesting projects you are working on now?
The most meaningful project I am working on right now is the Road to 2030 initiative. The goal is to explain complex mobility technologies in a way that is clear, digestible, and genuinely useful to a broad audience. We focus on communicating how the industry is changing and why it matters, not just to insiders but to anyone interested in the future of mobility. That effort also includes a podcast, launched in January 2026, The Mobility Table, which I co-host. It is another way to have thoughtful conversations and make these topics more accessible.
How do you think this might change the world?
Mobility is central to how people live their lives. People need to get to places, and goods and services need to reach them. Advances in automation and electrification are transforming not only vehicles that operate on roads, but mobility across sectors including aviation, maritime, and beyond. Many of these technologies extend past transportation entirely. Energy storage, software, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity have implications for the home and for virtually every sector of the economy. We are watching these changes take root in real time, and the ripple effects are significant. Seeing this transformation firsthand makes me grateful to be in this position at this moment. The technologies being developed today are reshaping how the world moves, connects, and functions.
Keeping “Black Mirror” in mind, can you see any potential drawbacks of this technology that people should think more deeply about?
Advanced vehicle technologies must be regulated carefully to ensure they do not create new safety risks, particularly for pedestrians and others outside the vehicle. Beyond physical safety, increased vehicle connectivity raises serious privacy and security concerns. Vehicles can collect and transmit sensitive data such as location, travel patterns, occupants, and financial information. As vehicles become more integrated with cloud services, cellular networks, and public infrastructure, secure communication becomes essential. Financial features such as automated toll payments also introduce risks if systems are not properly protected. To fully realize the benefits of these technologies, privacy, cybersecurity, and cross-industry coordination must be actively managed.
What are a few things that most excite you about the automotive industry as it is today? Why?
What excites me most is that the automotive industry is no longer just about cars. It now spans mobility more broadly, including aviation, maritime, drones, and other transportation systems. The focus has shifted from the vehicle itself to the overall experience, with improvements in safety, convenience, and accessibility. This transformation creates enormous opportunity, particularly for regions like Detroit. As technology becomes more transferable across mobility sectors, Detroit has the potential to be not only the center of automotive innovation, but also a hub for multiple forms of mobility. That expansion and convergence are what make this moment so exciting.
What are a few things that most concern you about the automotive industry as it is today? What must be done to address these challenges?
One of my biggest concerns is uncertainty, especially around trade policy and regulation. Automotive and mobility industries require massive, long-term capital investments, and frequent regulatory changes make it difficult to plan and achieve returns on those investments. Another concern is global competitiveness, particularly the rapid advancement of mobility technologies in China. We are operating in an environment that is more competitive than ever, and maintaining leadership will require policy stability, long-term planning, and sustained investment in innovation.
What other exciting disruptive technologies will we see in the next few years?
I am particularly excited about the combination of electrification and automation. Each is transformative on its own, but together they enable greater control, efficiency, and performance through advanced electronics and software. Another major shift is the move toward software-defined vehicles. Over-the-air updates now allow vehicles to gain new capabilities after purchase, similar to smartphones. Cybersecurity, software architecture, and digital customization will continue to redefine how vehicles are developed, deployed, and experienced across cars, boats, aircraft, trains, and agricultural equipment.
How much longer will fossil fuel powered cars be produced? When will EVs become the majority?
I believe fossil fuel vehicles will remain in production for decades, particularly for specialized uses such as extreme climates, heavy towing, and off-road applications. That said, electrification will progress fastest in high-volume, everyday commuter vehicles. The transition will not be limited to fully electric vehicles. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids already deliver many of the benefits of electrification and are becoming standard in several major segments. A fully electrified fleet is still decades away, but a majority-electrified fleet will arrive much sooner through a mix of technologies.
When will fully autonomous vehicles be deployed in a mainstream way? What are the main barriers?
It depends on how fully autonomous is defined. Vehicles capable of handling many driving situations already exist, but they still require human intervention in complex or unpredictable scenarios. The primary barrier is managing rare but highly complex situations such as severe weather, major accidents, or human-directed traffic control. Programming a vehicle to interpret and respond safely in these cases remains extremely difficult. Practical autonomy in most conditions is close, but true unrestricted autonomy in all environments is unlikely in the near future.
How will our driving experience be different over the next five years?
Vehicles will increasingly incorporate advanced driver assistance and partial automation, improving safety and reducing driver workload. Connectivity will also play a much larger role. Digital experiences such as music, communication, entertainment, and online services will more seamlessly follow us from home to vehicle. As people lead more connected lives, vehicles will become a natural extension of the digital ecosystem while still prioritizing safety through thoughtful interface design.
What are the five things needed to build a highly successful career in the automotive or mobility industry?
1. Adaptability
The pace and scale of change in mobility continue to accelerate, making flexibility essential.
2. Curiosity
Innovation increasingly comes from outside traditional automotive disciplines, so staying curious about other industries and technologies is critical.
3. Strong networks
No one can master the complexity of this industry alone. Broad professional connections provide access to ideas, expertise, and collaboration.
4. Passion for machines and vehicles
Despite digitization, mobility remains a physical and mechanical product. The most successful people genuinely care about the machines they help create.
5. An open mind
Many of today’s best solutions come from unexpected places. Progress depends on being open to ideas that fall outside traditional mobility boundaries.
If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would it be?
I would focus on making advanced mobility technologies more affordable and accessible. Many innovations today are concentrated in expensive vehicles and wealthy regions, but their societal impact would be far greater if they reached underserved and developing areas. Affordable mobility and connectivity can dramatically improve access to healthcare, employment, and safety. When innovation is paired with affordability, these technologies can deliver real, measurable societal good.
How can readers further follow your work online?
Readers can follow me on LinkedIn, where I regularly share insights and research. Additional work is published on the Road to 2030 website, which also provides access to related content and my colleagues’ work. I also co-host a podcast called The Mobility Table, which explores conversations about the future of mobility.