Optimism at the Detroit Auto Show; it's bigger than a city

On Monday, after touring the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, I wrote that, "The Motor City is back in business." And as the North American International Auto Show winds down, it's clear that I'm not the only one who liked what he saw this week.

Talking with Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson,
and DOT Deputy Secretary John Porcari

Automakers responded to the Obama Administration’s proposed fuel economy standards by unveiling a number of cars that are easier on the environment and their owners’ wallets.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu praised this development. “We are on the cusp of big breakthroughs in vehicle technologies," he said. "The question is, ‘Which countries will make them?’ Asia and Europe are moving aggressively to seize technological leadership. So must we.”

I’m also pleased to report that for the first time, the NAIAS devoted floor space to addressing the needs of people with disabilities. The Mobility Center showcased adaptive vehicles and accessories that can make riding in a car easier for the 54 million Americans with disabilities. I hope you'll agree that this is a terrific development.

Of course, what we're most excited about at the Department of Transportation is the increased emphasis on safety.  As NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said, "Advanced safety technologies like lane-departure warning, crash-imminent braking and others have enormous potential to save lives and prevent injuries. It's encouraging to see so many manufacturers increasingly offering these safety features as standard equipment on their vehicles."

The talk of progress this week was not limited to the technology on display; many observers noted that the automakers exhibited a confidence noticeably lacking in the last two years. Automakers are building the cars Americans want, and experts agree that America's “Big Three” are in position to sustain the resurgence they’ve worked so hard to create.

Karl Brauer, a former editor-in-chief at Edmunds.com, said, “I think the most exciting aspect of this year’s Detroit auto show overall has to be this simple fact that there is this livelihood, this energy that I haven’t seen for a couple of years,”

Observers also noticed a thing or two about the host. “The Motor City is a place where this country builds cars, and there is a lot of pride in building cars in this city and this country,” said Olivier Francois, the man behind Chrysler’s bold, “Imported from Detroit,” ads.

This isn’t just about the success of three companies. It’s about the success of a very important place in America, and all the different people who make that possible.

Olivier Francois said this week that, “Detroit stands for something bigger than just a city.”

I absolutely agree. What we've seen in Michigan is also about partners working together to pick an industry up and get it back on track.  As Michigan Governor Rick Snyder said, "The government doesn't do this alone, and the private sector doesn't. It's that collaboration between the public and private sectors that make this the best place to be in the world."

And whether it's Michigan or any state, across America--public and private; Republican, Democrat, and Independent--we can continue to invest together, to put our friends and neighbors back to work and build the foundation for stronger economic competitiveness.

The Motor City is, indeed, back in business. And that's a good sign for all of us. Let's keep it going.

Comments

[Harvey Botzman]

It is wonderful the traditional American motor vehicle manufacturers have become recovered from their financial debacle and are now producing better quality vehicles consumers want and need. Hopefully they will have learned from their organizational mistakes.

The Secretary should visit other consumer & industry trade shows such as the Bike New York TD Five Boro Tour Bike Expo & Festival on May 4, 5, & 6. The Festival is at the conclusion of this tour with 40,000 riders. The Expo precedes the TD Five Boro Bike Tour.

Perhaps the Secretary will ride the 40 miles of this tour!

He should visit Chicago's Bike the Drive, May 27th; and Washington DC's “Bike DC, May 13th; as well as other major bicycle rides and events.

An appearance at Interbike, September, 2012, in Las Vegas and at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show would certain bring attention to the importance of producing another form of transportation used by a significant segment of the population in the United States. Bicycles are used every day by residents to:
Commute to work or college (sometimes to K-12 schools);
Efficiently and cost effectively accomplish every errands (“utilitarian bicycling”);
Deliver goods and services;
Tour the cities, suburban, and rural areas of the U. S. A.;
Enhance their health and well being;
Enjoy their locality (recreational bicycling).

The Secretary's appearance at such bicycle events and trade shows might stimulate major bicycle manufacturers to once again produce moderate priced and mass market bicycles in the United States not only specialized or handmade limited production bicycles.

[Bed and Breakfast Blackpool]

I think it is important that the American auto industry carry this "buzz" from inside the Detroit Auto Show out to the people of Detroit, who have become victims of the way the industry was run in the past. The company's should use the money they save on taxes to start re-creating new jobs that the people of Detroit can fill. I really hope the CEO's start to think about the people that helped get the company's to where they are today, and not about lining their pockets.

[tulungagung]

growth vehicle would also have caused tremendous pollution, I agree if we use the emission of environmentally friendly fuels. save our earth.

[Anunturi]

Its about time USA takes measures regarding the fuel consumption. I don't see the point to buy cars with big engines just for the fun of it. Soon we won't have this luxury at our ease.

[SEO Company]

Auto show is one of the cornerstone Detroit events every year.

[California Lemon Law Attorney]

While applauding technological advances by the American "Big 3" we should remember that only one of them did not file for bankruptcy protection recently - namely, Ford. Ford invested in producing fuel efficient hybrid cars because it (rightly) saw this as the way of the future, while Chrylser and GM were victims of their short term focus (which led them to invest heavily in the SUV market). That being said, while the Obama Administration's emphasis on so-called "green" technology has its benefits, and will at times be a helpful push in the right direction, that will never be a substitute for companies (like Ford) focussing on long-term growth, rather than solely on short-term profit.

[Mobile Phone Application]

Superb! Great step for future in automobile field and thanks to American Government to focus on that point.Thanks.

[Transcription Services]

Vehicle Technology has improved rapidly.Its a great innovate idea by detroit auto show for devoloping the adaptive vehicles and accessories that can make riding in a car easier for the disabilities.