From a segment-reinventing minivan to luxury flagships, twin-turbocharged powerhouses, plug-in hybrids and autonomous drive functions, automakers showcased the sharpest of cutting-edge technologies, products and brand-building strategies at this year’s North American International Auto Show Press Preview.
Show officials report 5,068 journalists from 60 countries attended the two-day Press Preview that has become synonymous with generating news that shapes the future of the industry and attracts the world’s top automotive leaders.
A long list of CEOs and top industry executives attended Press Preview, many of which took the stage during press conferences, including:
“Again this year, we enjoyed the confidence of automakers who selected our show and the heart of the industry, the Motor City, as the backdrop for their new product reveals,” said 2016 NAIAS Chairman Paul Sabatini. “Of the 57 introductions at NAIAS, nearly 90 percent were worldwide debuts, which is an incredible testament to the global position of importance that NAIAS plays in automaker’s new vehicle and technology launch strategies.”
Media saw a show floor that was completely redesigned this year. More than 70 percent of the displays are newly designed, representing about a $200 million investment on the part of exhibiting automakers, suppliers and partners.
Journalists also experienced the first-ever Data Asset Management portal at an auto show designed exclusively for media. Through a Technology Partnership with IBM, media enjoyed a one-stop portal for accessing OEM, supplier and sponsor partner content ranging from press releases to graphics to video.
Returning for the 28th year was the Michelin Media Center, “the best media center in the world,” as heralded by the press corps last year. Located in Cobo’s Grand Riverview Ballroom, the Michelin Media Center reported the highest bandwidth capacity in the history of NAIAS Press Preview. The center saw over 5,800 attendees walk through its doors (consuming 2,800 meals and 8,000 beverages) and had over 1,000 social media posts to its Michelin #BigBoard.
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