LANSING, Mich. (AP) — President Donald Trump will mark his first 100 days in office next week with a rally in Michigan, his first since returning to the White House earlier this year.
Trump will visit Macomb County on Tuesday, the White House press secretary said. The region is just north of Detroit, known as an automotive hub.
“President Trump is excited to return to the great state of Michigan next Tuesday, where he will rally in Macomb County to celebrate the FIRST 100 DAYS!” Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday on social media.
The rally will take place on Trump’s 100th day in office — a traditional early milestone in which a president's progress is measured against campaign promises. Michigan was one of the key battleground states Trump flipped last year from Democrats on his path back to the White House.
Trump has not traveled much since taking office outside of personal weekend trips. The Republican president's only other official trip in his second term was during the first week, when he visited disaster zones in North Carolina and California and held an event in Las Vegas to promote his plan to eliminate taxes on tips.
But later this week, Trump will travel to Pope Francis' funeral in Rome, the first foreign trip in his second term.
Trump’s upcoming trip to Michigan follows a series of meetings and phone calls with the state’s high-profile Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer. Once a sharp critic of Trump, Whitmer has said that she hopes to find common ground with the president in his second term.
A key area of potential cooperation that Whitmer has pointed to is Selfridge Air National Guard Base, long a concern for Whitmer and Michigan lawmakers amid uncertainty over its future as the A-10 aircraft stationed there are phased out. The base is located in Macomb County, where he is set to appear Tuesday.
Trump mentioned Selfridge during an April 9 executive order signing in the Oval Office, an event that Whitmer was present for, saying he hoped to keep the base “open, strong, thriving.”
“I think we’re going to be successful, Governor. I think we’ll be very successful there,” Trump said about Selfridge.
Whitmer — whom Trump praised during his remarks — later said she was unexpectedly brought into the Oval Office during her visit. A photo captured her trying to shield her face from cameras with a folder.
Asked Wednesday if Whitmer would appear with the president in Michigan, a spokesperson for the governor said they “don't have anything to share at this time."
Whitmer and other Michigan officials have long advocated for a new fighter mission to replace the outgoing A-10 squadron at Selfridge.
In a 2023 letter sent during President Joe Biden’s administration, Whitmer urged the secretary of the Air Force to act, writing, “I repeat and reiterate what I stated in November and many times before over the past year: a fighter mission at Selfridge to recapitalize the A10s is the right path forward for the State of Michigan, the Air Force, and the nation."
President Donald Trump arrives at a swearing in ceremony for Dr. Mehmet Oz to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Following the announcement in the Budget that the "One-for-One Replacement" Scheme for electric vehicles will officially conclude next Tuesday (March 31), BYD (01211) launched a dedicated hotline, aiming to help citizens interested in purchasing an electric vehicle "catch the last train" before the deadline. Mr. Raymond Cheung, the Chief Operating Officer of BYD HK, stated that since the hotline's launch, the market response has been "extremely enthusiastic," adding that "our volume of inquiries and orders continues to hover at historic highs."
In an interview with Bastille Post, Mr. Cheung stated that since February 27, BYD HK has launched a "Special Hotline for Green Mobility Vehicle Purchases", offering a "one-on-one, end-to-end, and expedited" purchasing service, designed to ensure that every citizen intending to switch to an electric vehicle can successfully "catch the last train" before the scheme ends.
Mr. Raymond Cheung, the Chief Operating Officer of BYD HK, Photo source: BYD HK
The "One-for-One Replacement" Scheme for electric vehicles was officially launched in 2018 to encourage car owners to scrap their old fuel-powered private cars and purchase brand-new electric private cars. By scrapping and de-registering a qualifying old private car—and subsequently registering a brand-new electric private car under the "One-for-One Replacement" Scheme—owners are eligible for a First Registration Tax Concession of up to approximately HKD$172,500. Standard electric private cars (purchased without the "One-for-One Replacement" Scheme) are also eligible for a First Registration Tax Concession of up to HKD$58,000.
In this year's Budget, the Financial Secretary, Mr. Paul Chan, announced that the scheme would conclude on March 31, citing that the supply of electric private cars is now sufficient and prices have begun to decrease.
Following the announcement of the Budget, BYD established a dedicated team. Mr. Cheung said that the team provides a seamless, one-stop service covering the entire process: from answering customer inquiries and rapidly matching customers with ready stock vehicles—including popular models such as BYD ATTO 3, Dolphin, Seal, and Denza D9—to assisting with document preparation, expediting contract processing, and finally submitting the necessary paperwork to the Transport Department to complete vehicle registration.
Ample Stock Secured to Help Owners Beat the Scheme Deadline
Mr. Cheung stated that BYD has specifically reserved ample ready stock for Hong Kong customers—covering a wide range of popular models such as ATTO 3, Dolphin, Seal, and even the Denza D9—to ensure there are no supply shortages. Currently, most of the popular models remain in stock and are available for immediate allocation; nevertheless, availability for certain colors or configurations may be limited.
He noted that the team is going all out, aiming to help all prospective electric vehicle owners successfully "catch the last train" before the scheme deadline.
The team is going all out, aiming to help all prospective electric vehicle owners successfully "catch the last train" before the scheme deadline. Photo source: BYD HK
Although the "One-for-One Replacement" Scheme is drawing to a close, BYD HK remains highly confident in the local market for electric private vehicles. Mr. Cheung emphasized that "the inherent technical prowess of the products themselves, combined with their exceptional value for money" constitutes the cornerstone for winning consumer trust.
Recent geopolitical instability in the Middle East has led to fluctuations in international oil prices. Given Hong Kong's heavy reliance on imported energy, rising fuel costs will directly drive up operating expenses for traditional fuel-powered vehicles, which is anticipated to leverage the advantage of electric vehicles' energy costs and increase their market demand.
Premium Brand "Yangwang" Poised to Enter Hong Kong Market
BYD is currently actively preparing to introduce its high-end brand, "Yangwang" to Hong Kong, which is now in the final stages of market assessment and preparatory work. Mr. Cheung described "Yangwang" as the pinnacle of BYD's technological achievements, targeting high-end consumers who seek cutting-edge technology, ultimate performance, and a luxurious experience. In Hong Kong, its future primary competitors will be traditional European luxury automotive brands.
BYD is currently actively preparing to introduce its high-end brand, "Yangwang" to Hong Kong. Photo source: BYD HK
Mr. Cheung pointed out that within BYD's global "Going Global" strategy, Hong Kong serves as an irreplaceable "strategic springboard" and an international "super showroom". Taking the ATTO 3 as an example, its overnight success in turning the top-selling model in Hong Kong has allowed BYD to systematically replicate this winning formula in other right-hand-drive markets, significantly shortening the learning curve. The decision to introduce "Yangwang" to Hong Kong is a strategic move that sees the city's advantage in international influence, laying a solid foundation for the brand's future expansion into broader global markets.
Embracing a "Deep Localization" Strategy
Directed at the unique characteristics of the Hong Kong market, BYD has adopted a "deep localization" strategy, which not only involves far more than a simple conversion from left-hand to right-hand drive, but also encompasses a multitude of specific details. On the software front, the in-vehicle system features a traditional Chinese interface, along with authentic Cantonese voice recognition and navigation system. In terms of hardware, the vehicle's suspension system has been specially tuned to suit Hong Kong's hilly and winding road conditions. Mr. Cheung noted that the introduced models were specifically selected to ensure that their dimensions and driving range are well-suited to Hong Kong's urban environment.
Directed at the unique characteristics of the Hong Kong market, BYD has adopted a "deep localization" strategy. Photo by Bastille Post
With the number of electric vehicle owners increasing rapidly, Mr. Cheung revealed that BYD plans to establish additional repair centers to provide convenient after-sales support. Regarding pricing strategy, the group will continue to uphold its positioning of offering "exceptional value for money".
Looking ahead, the development of charging infrastructure and ecological construction remains crucial to the dissemination of electric vehicles. Mr. Cheung stated that BYD views itself as a key contributor to fostering a green mobility ecosystem in Hong Kong. The group actively collaborates with major charging service providers to ensure its vehicles are compatible with all mainstream charging standards. Furthermore, by facilitating the sharing of charging experiences within its owner community, BYD aims to help alleviate "charging anxiety" among potential buyers.
BYD actively collaborates with major charging service providers to ensure its vehicles are compatible with all mainstream charging standards. Photo by Bastille Post
BYD anticipates that in the early stages of the "One-for-One Replacement" Scheme's conclusion, the market may undergo a brief structural adjustment in sales volume. Nevertheless, Mr. Cheung also expressed unwavering confidence in the long-term future of Hong Kong's electric vehicle market. As the market returns to a competitive landscape driven primarily by product quality, safety, and value, BYD's inherent strengths are expected to become even more pronounced.
