Commercial vehicle industry leaders gathered in September for NTEA’s 2025 Executive Leadership Summit held at Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This annual conference focuses on trends, forecasts and insights designed to further industry knowledge, growth and profitability.
Opening Keynote
The event opened with a candid discussion of the most significant shifts shaping the commercial vehicle landscape today. Conversations touched on opportunities and potential risks associated with AI and advanced analytics along with discussions of global forces such as tariffs and their impact on the industry.
Moderated by: John Davis, Host/Creator/Managing Director, MotorWeek
Presented by: Tim Davison, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Stellar Industries; John Ruppert, Sr Advisor Corporate Strategy, Adrian
Commercial Vehicle Industry Market Trends
This session took a deeper dive into the direction of the North American work truck market, with a focus on chassis shipments, sales, and body type trends. It examined current and anticipated developments in chassis, powertrain, and vehicle technology, delivering actionable insights to support strategic decision-making.
Presented by: Andrew Wrobel, Commercial Vehicle Insight Strategist, NTEA
Driving the Future: Chassis OEM Insights on What’s Next and How We Get There
OEM leaders explored what’s ahead for the work truck industry — and how they’re actively preparing for it. From advanced fuels and automation to evolving chassis design and strategic partnerships, this panel provided a high-level roadmap of the priorities, challenges and innovations shaping the next generation of commercial vehicles.
Moderated by: John Davis, Host/Creator/Managing Director, MotorWeek
Presented by: Brian Tabel, Assistant Vice-President Marketing, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Inc.; and Scott Griffith, CEO, Motiv Electric Trucks
Economic Overview and Implications for the Work Truck Industry
Attendees gained economic and market information to help optimize business planning processes. This session explored key trends in the commercial vehicle industry and how they are influenced by U.S. and global economic cycles. With a focus on high-level direction, it also highlighted the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry’s future.
Presented by: Steve Tam, Vice President, ACT Research Co.
Leading Through Disruption: How Simplicity in Leadership Drives Strategic Growth
In today’s rapidly evolving marketplace, leaders aren’t struggling from a lack of effort — they’re overwhelmed by the nonstop disruption that defines our world. Shifting markets, emerging tech and constant change make it harder than ever to lead with clarity. The solution isn’t to avoid disruption — it’s to leverage it. In this high-energy keynote, Matt Havens shared The Priority Principle™, a leadership framework for simplifying focus, aligning teams and driving strategic growth. Audiences left equipped to make better decisions, faster — and with the mindset to lead through chaos, not just survive it.
Presented by: Matt Havens, Leadership and Business Strategist
State of Emissions: Understanding the Current Regulatory Landscape and Policy Framework
In this forward-looking session, a panel of industry experts unpacked current and emerging emissions policies and explored their potential impact on multi-stage manufacturing and upfitting, and fleet operations. This session was designed to equip industry leaders with the knowledge to make informed decisions, helping ensure compliance and optimize operational efficiency in an evolving regulatory environment.
Moderated by: John Davis, Host/Creator/Managing Director, MotorWeek
Presented by: Mike Kastner, Senior Vice President, NTEA; and Jon Costantino, Principal & CEO, Tradesman Advisors Inc.
Learn more and sign up for 2026 event updates at ntea.com/executivesummit.