Guest Author: Glenn Stevens is the Vice President, Automotive and Mobility Initiatives at the Detroit Regional Chamber and Executive Director of MICHauto.

This week all eyes are on Detroit as the 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) kicks into full gear. During my daily review, I’ll cover the most newsworthy stories and announcements coming out of NAIAS and Automobili-D, as well as what to look forward to the following day.

The full NAIAS press conference schedule can be found here.

NAIAS Daily Recap: Thursday, January 17 (Day 4)

In case you missed it, here’s the highlights from today, January 16 at NAIAS:

  • The first-ever Future Automotive Career Exposition (FACE) connected people interested in working in all aspects of the mobility industry with AutoMobili-D companies
  • Bill Ford sat down with Detroit News columnist Daniel Howes for a wide-ranging, fireside-style chat during The Final Word

Rounding out a full week, things to look forward to tomorrow:

  • Inforum’s 17th annual NAIAS Breakfast featuring co-founder and CEO OF Clinc Dr. Jason Mars, co-founder and COO of May Mobility Alisyn Malek, vice president of research and advanced engineering and CTO at Ford Ken Washington

NAIAS Daily Recap: Wednesday, January 16 (Day 3)

In case you missed it, here’s the highlights from today, January 16 at NAIAS:

  • Both the Atrium and PlanetM Stages were full of programming on topics including 3D printing, autonomous vehicles, radar, and talent (recap).
  • During a panel discussion discussion with Jessica Robinson, executive director of the Michigan Mobility Initiative, and Alisyn Malek, co-founder and COO of May Mobility, moderated by Chris Thomas, of the Detroit Mobility Lab, we spent some time talking about the importance of talent to the State’s leadership as the arsenal of mobility.
  • On the PlanetM Stage I had the opportunity to moderate a panel on current state and future of autonomous technology featuring Founder and Principal at VSI Labs Phil Magney, Director of OEM Tech Services as FLIR Systems Chris Posch, VP at In-Q-Tel CosmiQ Works Ryan Lewis, and Deputy Chief Engineer at Great Wall Motors Shane Elwart. 

Things to look forward to tomorrow:

  • The Future Automotive Career Expo (FACE) will be taking place all day in AutoMobili-D. Attendees will hear from leading employers and professionals in the automotive industry, have an opportunity to be interviewed by HR representatives and gain valuable advice to improve their future career-search goals.
  • There are two presentation on the Atrium Stage on electrification. Additionally, the newest edition of the Detroiter magazine is dedicated to electrification innovation in the region. Pick up a free copy at newsstands around Cobo Center.
  • To close out NAIAS Preview Week, Bill Ford will close the Preview Days there at a public event called “The Final Word.”

NAIAS Daily Recap: Tuesday, January 15 (Day 2)

In case you missed it, here are the highlights from today, January 15, from NAIAS:

  • Jim Hackett, CEO of Ford and Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen announced today that both company’s have decided to work together to cut the cost of new technology development in a joint alliance.
  • During the Detroit Mobility Lab’s special announcement, it was shared that Jessica Robinson, former director of city solutions at Ford Smart Mobility and co-founder of the Detroit Mobility Lab, has been named the first full-time executive director. Additionally, the Michigan Mobility Institute–the first initiative of Detroit Mobility Lab–will offer new “Master of Mobility” starting in 2021.
  • Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced four pilot projects funded by the $8 Million Michigan Mobility Challenge that will address core mobility gaps for seniors, persons with disabilities and veterans across the state.
  • Techstars Mobility announced a new name, Techstars Detroit, along with a new partnership with Lear and new home at the Lear Innovation Center.

Tomorrow I’m looking forward to:

  • Moderating two panels: The Arsenal of Mobility at 12:00pm on the Atrium Stage and The Road to Autonomy: Will We Ever Get There at 2:30 pm on the PlanetM Stage inside AutoMobili-D.
  • Continuing to visit with the startups and companies exhibiting in AutoMobili-D including the 65 mobility startups in the Techstars area.

NAIAS Daily Recap: Monday, January 14 (Day 1)

In case you missed it, here’s the highlights from today, January 14, at NAIAS:

  • The North American Car, Truck and Utility of The Year awards were announced at the Detroit Auto Show on Monday, with Genesis, Hyundai and Ram taking home the hardware.
  • Ford revealed the 2020 Shelby GT500, the most powerful Mustang ever with 700 horsepower
  • Toyota President Akio Toyoda proudly debuted the 2020 Toyota Supra, his presence was felt in Detroit as Toyota’s commitment to Michigan continues to grow.
  • Magna International took the stage to provide an update on their partnership with Lyft, which included Level 5 team successfully completing public road testing in first year.
  • The Automotive Hall of Fame announced the 2019 inductees which include former Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne, Indycar driver Janet Guthrie, American Axle Manufacturing co-founder Richard E. Dauch, and auto dealership finance and insurance innovator Patrick Ryan.

Tomorrow be sure to keep a look out for:

Join us throughout the week for daily updates from the 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and insight from Glenn Stevens, vice president of automotive and mobility initiatives at the Detroit Regional Chamber and executive director of MICHauto.