Gov. Snyder, Industry Insiders On The Auto Outlook

By Carol Cain
Senior Producer and Host
WWJ-TV CBS Detroit's Michigan Matters

The Motor City has gotten back some stride after a few rough years as the 2011 North American International Auto Show continues through Saturday at Cobo Center with dozens of glitzy new vehicles on display to whet your auto appetite.

The event started with media days, followed by the Charity Preview black tie event Friday night where 10,000 people attended and helped raised millions for children's charities.

Gov. Rick Snyder took time while touring the show during media days to appear in WWJ-TV CBS Detroit's "Michigan Matters" along with other business and political luminaries.

"We have some tough decisions that must be made and we have to be willing to see them through," said Snyder, who drew paralleles to the tidings of the auto industry the past 18 months to what the state will face this year.

Numerous other executives also talked of the industry's resurgence.

"This is a tough industry, but we are resilient," said Mark Reuss, president of General Motors Corp.

"We're back," Reusse added of GM which emerged from bankruptcy, held a successful public stock offering and took top honors as 2011 North American Car of the Year Award with its Chevy Volt.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow marveled at Detroit's rebound.

"They set the bar high and did a fantastic job," said Stabenow.

Trey Fabacher, vice president and general manager of WWJ-TV CBS Detroit and WKBD CW 50, who attended media days and the charity preview, made mention of the "green" cars at the show.

"From Chevy, to Ford to Toyota, "green" is the theme of the show. But I admit I love the muscle cars – like the Mustang and Camaro. Whatever your preference, you can't leave this show and not feel pretty darn good about Detroit's future."

Others mentioned the need to show a bit of caution in the fervor.

"The Big Three are the most competitive I have ever seen in my entire career," said John McElroy, longtime auto expert. "I truly believe they will have the biggest profits they have every had ….ever!"

"The challenge is to keep that mindset, they can't get complacent or they will get killed," McElroy added.

Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy in 2010.

"We are coming back in a big way," said Chrysler Corp. CEO Sergio Marchionne, who said they would be profitable in 2011.

United Auto Workers President Bob King discussed the role of his members in the rebound as contract negotiations loom for 230,000 workers at Detroit Three's this year.

"Our workers have played an important part in all that is going on. We need to make sure they are taken care of," said King.

Russ Shelton, a longtime Detroit auto dealer, discussed the tough times.

"I watched friends lose their businesses," said Shelton. "I couldn't imagine that."

But he added the dealer body was feeling more bullish as GM – which he sells – as well as Ford and Chrysler - are reloading with new products on display at the show.

Bill Perkins, vice chair of this year's show, was already talking about next year's North American International Auto Show.

"We will be even bigger and better," Perkins said.

The North American International Auto Show is held at Cobo Center and open daily 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 23 (when it closes at 7 p.m.). Ticket Information | Guide To The Auto Show

Carol Cain hosts "Michigan Matters," airing 11 a.m. Saturdays on WWJ-TV CBS Detroit. You can read her columns on politics and business in the Sunday's Free Press. She can be reached at 248-355-7126 or via e-mail

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