DETROIT, April 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) announced today that it will be launching AutoMobili-D, a dedicated exposition focused on the rapidly evolving global automotive and mobility landscape. Spearheaded by NAIAS, AutoMobili-D will run in conjunction with the 2017 auto show this coming January in Detroit and will feature more than 100 companies, including automakers, tier one suppliers and tech startups.
"AutoMobili-D will provide an international look at the ever-changing world of consumer mobility and the ecosystem of companies and innovations that are driving this exciting transformation," said Sam Slaughter, 2017 NAIAS chairman. "Being in the Motor City, NAIAS garners the largest industry concentration of any show in the world, bringing in nearly 40,000 executives, engineers, designers and thought leaders. AutoMobili-D will provide the ideal platform for business to business networking and thought provoking demonstrations."
Overview
Located only steps away from the nearly 5,000 journalists using the industry-best Michelin Media Center, AutoMobili-D will feature 120,000 sq. ft. of dynamic display communities in the Cobo Center Atrium overlooking the international waterway and the adjoining Hall E. Unlike anywhere else in the world, attending executives, industry professionals and journalists will have the opportunity to experience firsthand advanced driver assist and autonomous vehicle functionality on a dedicated test track all in one building. Unique communities of participating companies and tech start-ups will cover the following five key mobility areas:
"For the past year we've been working on this initiative and traveling the world meeting with automakers, suppliers and partners on this project and the feedback and interest has been phenomenal," said Rod Alberts, NAIAS executive director. "With strong support from leading automakers, to the world's largest suppliers and innovators like ZF, IBM and Schaeffler, all are eager to participate in AutoMobili-D and showcase their advanced technologies and mobility plans. We also have support from the world renowned American Center for Mobility to highlight all of the mobility developments happening here in Michigan."
Timing and Content
AutoMobili-D will kick-off on Sunday, January 8, 2017, the day prior to the start of NAIAS Press Days (Jan. 9-10), and will run through NAIAS Industry Days (Jan. 11-12). A very prominent industry thought leader will keynote Sunday's opening ceremony following an open house that will allow guests to network with peers and participating companies as well as interact with the technologies and vehicles on display. NAIAS will dedicate specific press conference slots for participating AutoMobili-D companies on the afternoons of both Press Days.
Strong Industry Partnerships
Content curation for AutoMobili-D is being led by The House of New Mobility, an internationally recognized thought leader in the mobility and innovation space.
"We're experiencing a tremendous technology shift in our industry and the American Center for Mobility (ACM) has been established to be the leader in automated and connected car testing, development, and standards-setting at a scale unmatched in the world," said John Maddox, CEO, American Center for Mobility. "We're excited about the North American International Auto Show's AutoMobili-D, as it will provide ACM a global platform to connect and share best practices with leading automakers and suppliers that are breaking ground in the mobility space."
AutoMobili-D will showcase a special innovation community within the exposition that will feature more than 50 startups. NAIAS partnered with Techstars Mobility, based in Detroit, to curate the roster of participating startups and provide its expertise on innovators looking to disrupt the transportation industry.
Techstars Mobility focuses on investing in the future of mobility and transportation. It looks for startup companies building technologies and services that enable people and goods to move around more freely. The accelerator unites automotive and mobility industry leaders with a select group of the most innovative, emerging startups for a 90-day mentorship-driven program. Techstars Mobility has partnered with Ford, Magna, Verizon, Dana, Honda, McDonald's, Munich Re and Michelin to support and mentor these startups. Since launching the program in December of 2014, Techstars Mobility has interfaced with over 1,000 startups, across the world, through discussions and applications to their 2015 and 2016 programs. Nearly 500 companies, from 53 countries, across six continents, applied to its 2016 program looking to relocate their businesses to downtown Detroit.
"Techstars Mobility operates at the intersection of two of Detroit's biggest strengths: its automotive dominance and its entrepreneurial resurgence. Partnering with the NAIAS allows us to continue to strengthen this message across the world and bring the most innovative, emerging startups to Detroit," said Ted Serbinski, managing director, Techstars Mobility. "When you look at NAIAS compared to other events in terms of global coverage and media attendance, the decision was easy as to why Techstars must be part of this event."
NAIAS: The Future Is Here
Home to an extraordinary array of automotive research and development and advanced manufacturing assets, Detroit and Michigan has quickly established themselves as the global epicenter for connected and autonomous vehicle research and technology. With more than 89,000 engineers, Michigan ranks first in the nation for its concentration of engineering talent and number of automotive related businesses (462). In 2014, Michigan led the United States in connected vehicle projects (45), a growth of 50 percent from the previous year.
"The way the world views mobility is being reshaped and redefined right here in Michigan," added Alberts. "There's unparalleled research, design, testing and infrastructure development happening right in our backyard. When coupled with the global stage NAIAS provides, this creates the ideal venue for both established companies and tech startups alike to showcase their technologies and future products to an unrivaled concentration of industry peers and international media."
"Just as NAIAS has served as the leading global venue for automakers to debut brand-defining vehicles, AutoMobili-D will be the go-to setting for automakers, suppliers and startups alike to unveil advanced technologies and initiatives that will move the transportation industry into the next century," added Slaughter.
For more information on AutoMobili-D, contact Bob Caza, NAIAS communications director at bcaza@dada.org. Companies interested in exhibiting can contact Tavi Fulkerson of the Fulkerson Group at tavi@fulkersongroup.com.
About the North American International Auto Show
Now in its 29th year as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, technologies, people and ideas that matter most – up close and in one place. Administered by executive director Rod Alberts, the NAIAS is one of the largest media events in North America, and the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. For more information, visit naias.com.
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2017 NAIAS Dates:
The Gallery – Saturday, January 7, 2017
AutoMobili-D – Sunday-Thursday, January 8-12, 2017
Press Preview – Monday-Tuesday, January 9-10, 2017
Industry Preview – Wednesday-Thursday, January 11-12, 2017
Charity Preview – Friday, January 13, 2017
Public Show – Saturday-Sunday, January 14-22, 2017
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SOURCE North American International Auto Show
