DETROIT, (Sept. 22, 2022) – The North American International Auto Show (aka Detroit Auto Show) spotlighted Detroit as the mobility epicenter last week for media, industry and even the President of the United States. This week, the Public Show is dialing up that light on the community, including Detroit’s future mobility leaders, artists, everyday Detroiters, and even pups.
Running through Sunday, Sept. 25 at Huntington Place and Hart Plaza, the Detroit Auto Show is using its expanded show campus to emphasize an energized community-centric focus.
“From highlighting local artisans to promoting expanded educational opportunities for area youth to providing a ‘showroom’ of vehicles for consumers to see, the auto show is impacting and engaging with the community in reimagined ways,” said Detroit Auto Show Chairman Joe Lunghamer.
Here’s a look at some happenings:
Education Week
This week a group of middle and high school students from Detroit-area schools are visiting the auto show as part of the event’s “Education Week.” Participants include schools with a focus on STEM and STEAM as well as robotics teams. The week also features youth education initiatives such as the John Shippen Sports Business Summit scheduled for Friday, Sept. 23 and Black Girl MATHgic and The Girls in Engineering Academy both on Saturday, Sept. 24.
Sweepstakes for Education
Individuals still have time to enter to win a 2023 Corvette Z06 Convertible 70th Anniversary Edition, 2022 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye or 2022 Bronco Raptor (minimum donation prize rules apply) in the Detroit Auto Dealers Association Education Foundation Sweepstakes. The Sweepstakes supports young people seeking careers in the mobility industry. Winners will be announced at the auto show on Sunday, Sept. 25. Tickets are available online at WinThisVette.com, WinThisHellcat.com and WinThisBroncoRaptor.com.
Maker Market in Hart Plaza
Hometown boutique vendors are blending art with their passion for Detroit and Michigan as part of the auto show’s new “Maker Market” in Hart Plaza, Friday – Sunday, Sept. 23 – 25. The “Maker Market” features eight artisans — including everything from a cooperative of U.S. veterans and Detroiters who handcraft sustainable goods using leather and seat belts upcycled from the auto industry, to local artists who design 3-D model car kits, to apparel makers who offer Detroit-centric t-shirts and wear for gearheads. Pingree Detroit will do live sneaker making in their booth this weekend.
Hart Plaza Entertainment
Free entertainment is featured daily in Hart Plaza with a mix of music genres and artists, including several Michigan and Detroit talents. Michigan native Frankie Ballard takes the stage of Friday, Sept. 23 while Gabriel Duran of Southwest Detroit performs Saturday, Sept. 24.
The “Spirit of Detroit” to Benefit Detroit Youth
Detroit Auto Show organizers have commissioned a one-of-a-kind auto show “Spirit of Detroit” guitar that will soon be presented to a local youth arts organization in Detroit. The show enlisted Wallace Detroit Guitars to build the commemorative guitar. Like all guitars made by Wallace, the “Spirit of Detroit” guitar was built using reclaimed wood from Detroit buildings.
Auto Show Turns to Detroit Letterpress Artists for Poster
Detroit Auto Show organizers went 15th century to produce a 21st century limited-edition commemorative auto show poster. The show turned to artist Joel Grothaus and Signal-Return, a Detroit nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional letterpress printing, to produce the show’s exclusive, limited-run 2022 poster. The auto show poster was produced for gifting purposes, including presentations to the Governor, Mayor and leadership of the auto companies.
Helping Pups in the Community Find Homes
Five dogs have already found loving homes and been adopted at the Detroit Auto Show, according to the Michigan Humane Society who is partnering with Subaru of America at the show. The adoption event is part of the Subaru Loves Pets Initiative, which is dedicated to improving the safety and well-being of animals in communities nationwide and to ultimately get animals out of shelters and into loving homes.
Air Mobility Experience, Detroit Style
Restauranteur Hamisi Mamba and his daughters took a leading role in the Detroit Auto Show’s recent promo video for its all-new Air Mobility Experience. Mamba is a success story in his own right and has recently opened Baobob Fare on Woodward Avenue in Detroit with his wife. The duo received “2022 Best New Restaurant of the Year” by the Free Press earlier this year. Watch here to see their starring role in the Air Mobility Experience video.
Shinola Shares its Jeep Willys, Mutt Cutts
Visitors to the Detroit Auto Show will see the classic emerald-colored 1961 Jeep Willys from the Shinola collection where it serves a supporting role in the Detroit manufacturer’s brand story. Shinola’s flagship store, located on West Canfield St., sits in the neighborhood Willys operated its Detroit sales and service operations. Attendees will also get a look at the Mutt Cutts van, the iconic fur-covered Ford Econoline van from the ‘90s hit comedy, “Dumb and Dumber” staring Michigan native Jeff Daniels. Both vehicles are on display in the Huntington Place concourse.
Mobility City Sunday
The community fun continues on the final day of the Detroit Auto Show. The show is teaming up with the City of Detroit for “Mobility City Sunday” on Sept. 25 from 2 – 6 p.m. There’ll be bike and e-scooter demonstrations presented by MoGo and Lime, followed by a community bike ride along the Detroit Riverfront led by cycling aficionado Jason Hall and a prize giveaway. Register here to join the ride.
About the North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show (aka Detroit Auto Show) is one of the most influential annual automotive events in the world and a showcase for emerging technologies. September of 2022 ushers in the next-generation auto show in Detroit featuring a totally transformed indoor and outdoor experience, including brand-defining vehicles, product ride-and-drives and dynamic experiential activations. The reimagined event includes: Media Day, an opportunity for automakers and industry suppliers to debut new products and technologies; Industry Tech Days, a chance to preview emerging mobility technologies and engage with innovators; AutoMobili-D, an inside look at future mobility platforms; Charity Preview, a signature fundraising gala for children’s charities; and the Public Show, a nine-day mobility and community celebration with activations and entertainment citywide. For more information, visit naias.com.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for show highlights. Sign up for our e-newsletter to be among the first for show updates.
