'Michigan Matters' Exclusive: Ford, Barra, Snyder, Gilbert, Fields Headline Fast-paced Auto Show
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - A virtual who's who among Metro Detroit's power brokers join host Carol Cain and the rest of the "Michigan Matters" crew as they crisscross Cobo Center this week at the North American International Auto Show.
NAIAS opened for the media on Monday and will open Saturday for the public. Over 800,000 people are expected to attend the show which is open through next Saturday.
Over 40 cars were unveiled during media days and 750 vehicles are on display.
Bill Ford, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, Ford CEO Mark Fields, Gov. Rick Snyder, UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles and other high-profile leaders appear to talk about the state's largest industry.
They referenced the brutal times Mary Barra, the city and industry weathered the past six years and how things are looking brighter today.
Quicken's Dan Gilbert – who is buying up buildings in downtown Detroit by the dozens – also talks about the importance of the show not only to autos but technology found elsewhere.
NAIAS Chairman Scott LaRiche and DADA Executive Director Rod Alberts open the "Michigan Matters" show and CBS 62's Chief Videographer Paul Pytlowany was there to capture their behind-the-scenes conversation about the work that went into the show.
When it is all said and done, NAIAS will have an economic impact of over $400 million for the region which rivals a Super Bowl. WWJ Newsradio 950's auto expert Jeff Gilbert takes viewers on a tour of Cobo to show off his favorite vehicles.
And John McElroy, who offers auto commentary on WWJ Newsradio 950 and is host of Autoline, talks about the impact of female executives in the industry.
Toyota's Chief Communications Officer Julie Hamp and Andra M. Rush, who runs a growing auto empire, discuss their careers and role of females in the industry.
The Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, which helps train young people for careers in arts and auto design, is featured with Darby Barber, a CCS student, showing off her prototype pickup truck.
Watch "Michigan Matters" 11:30 am Sunday on CBS 62.
Appearing on the show: Gov. Rick Snyder, Mary Barra, Bill Ford, Mark Fields, Dan Gilbert, Sergio Marchionne, Mark Reuss, Jimmy Settles, Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, Julie Hamp, Andra M. Rush, Rod Alberts, Thom Connor, Scott LaRiche, Paul Sabitini, Sandy Baruah, Kevin Kerrigan, Jeff Gilbert, John McElroy, Yuan Zhongrong, Lisa Gray, Mike Manley, Alan Perriton, Paul Snyder and Darby Barber.