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2007 NAIAS Innovation Inc.: welcome to the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center--where we dare to dream, dare to think big and dare to show the world our bright future.


Think Detroit. Think cars. Think again! It's more than that, so much more--and the 2007 North American North American

named after North America.


North American blastomycosis
see North American blastomycosis.

North American cattle tick
see boophilusannulatus.
 International Auto Show An auto show, or motor show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is commonly attended by automobile manufacturers. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year.  is the place where you will experience how the Detroit Region is successfully re-inventing itself as the Automotive Brain Center of the World.

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We're home of the "new" Big Three--technology, innovation and R&D. We're home to the hot companies that make the hot cars that you will see on the show floor at Cobo Center. We're home to the people with the know-how to make it happen.

In this special section of the Detroiter, we salute NAIAS on its 100th anniversary and take you behind the scenes of this prestigious showcase that pumps some $580 million each year into Southeast Michigan's economy, including nearly $100 million to the city of Detroit alone.

Take this opportunity to discover:

* How 2007 NAIAS senior co-chairs Bob Thibodeau and Carl Galeana--and many and others--make the show a success.

* How innovative companies across Southeast Michigan Southeast Michigan, also called Southeastern Michigan, is a region in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan that is home to a majority of the state's businesses and industries, and is home to slightly over half the state's population.  are developing safer, smarter and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

* Why the future of Cobo Center as a world-class showcase for innovation depends on visionary leadership.

* Why global automotive manufacturers like Toyota, Hyundai and Kia chose the Detroit Region for their cutting-edge technical centers.

* Why the "Big Three" automakers are going green.

It's a Really

Big Show!

NAIAS 2007 puts the world's Automotive Brain Center in the spotlight

When the 2007 North American International Auto Show opens its doors at Detroit's Cobo Conference & Exhibition Center, thousands of people from across the globe will participate in one of the world's most influential automotive events.

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The 2007 NAIAS will feature world-class vehicle unveilings, unprecedented media coverage and one-of-a-kind exhibits from the industry's top automakers as well as put Detroit in the international spotlight as the world's Automotive Brain Center.

"NAIAS 2007 is guaranteed to be a very special year. As the 100th anniversary of the first DADA sponsored auto show, we are planning another blockbuster year with special attractions for auto enthusiasts across the globe," says Robert Thibodeau Jr., NAIAS 2007 senior co-chairman.

Last year's show featured 70 vehicle unveilings as well as nearly 7,000 journalists from 62 countries and 42 U.S. states including 279 television networks. Overall, more than 750,000 people attended the show during Public Days and the NAIAS 2006 added more than $580 million to Southeast Michigan's economy.

"The NAIAS has enjoyed extraordinary success in its 19 years as an international event," says Carl Galeana, NAIAS 2007 co-chairman. "Outside of the industry news and unique trends that are made public at the show, the wildly successful Charity Preview gala, the region's most anticipated fundraiser, celebrates its 31st anniversary this year and is expected to attract more than 17,000 people and raise more than $7 million for Detroit's children's charities."

The Century Mark

Happy anniversary! The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) is celebrating 100 years of sponsorship of the North American International Auto Show this year.

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Since its inception in 1907, what was originally known as the Detroit Auto Show has grown from a regional event featuring 17 exhibitors to an internationally sanctioned show with over 90 exhibitors, pumping nearly $600 million into the Detroit Region's economy last year alone.

The first show in 1907 was held at Beller's Beer Garden on Jefferson Avenue near Belle Isle Belle Isle, Strait of

A channel between southeast Labrador and northwest Newfoundland, Canada. It is the northern entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
 in conjunction with a hunting and fishing accessories show. The first show featured 33 vehicles. Admission was 50 cents, except for those who attended the show's "society night." They paid $1.

Over the years, the Years, The

the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109]

See : Time
 show has been held in a number of locations, including the Michigan State Fairgrounds n. pl. 1. same as fairground.  and the Detroit Artillery Armory. The show has been held at Cobo Center since 1965.

Entering its 19th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is today one of the most prestigious auto shows in the world and among the largest media events of any kind in North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. . NAIAS is also the only auto show in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area.  to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles The Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles ("International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers"), commonly called the OICA, is a federation of automobile manufacturers. , the Baris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world.

Behind the Scenes at NAIAS

Q: What's new and exciting at this year's show?

A: We're seeing a continued emphasis on technology and design as the auto manufacturers try to differentiate themselves. Today's consumers have 275 models to choose from, and we expect that number to grow to nearly 350 models within the next five years or so. The manufacturers are going to showcase a number of new technologies this year. We're also seeing some wonderful new exhibits. We're again anticipating 50-plus new vehicle introductions, both production and concept.

Q: How can NAIAS demonstrate that the Detroit Region is reinventing itself as the world's automotive "brain center"?

A: One of the things we do best is to provide an atmosphere for the OEMs and the suppliers to continue to get together on an annual basis. That's what differentiates our show from the shows in New York New York, state, United States
New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of
, Chicago or Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. . This is why it's so important to keep the Detroit show No.1. We provide the platform that the manufacturers use to discuss and outline their business strategies to the world. That is something you don't see at any other venue in North America.

Q: What kind of planning went into this year's show?

A: Typically, we start planning each show about 18 months in advance. It was more like three years for the 2006 show because of the Super Bowl, and if I may say so, I think all of Detroit did a very good job! As part of our planning, our Executive Committee travels to all the major shows throughout the world. We also meet with the manufacturers to get their input on how we can improve the show. Rod Alberts, executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, and his staff of 20 full-time employees work tirelessly the whole year to continue to make this show even better every single year.

Q: How does NAIAS stack up against its "competitor" shows?

A: This year we commissioned a study by Millward Brown Millward Brown is a market research company,[2] with its headquarters based in the UK. Millward Brown was the first company to provide continuous tracking studies, and has researched more ads and more brands than any other research company.  Precis, which found that in terms of print and broadcast media influence, the Detroit show has at least four times the impact as New York, our nearest competitor show. And outside North America, in Asia and Europe, that margin goes to a factor of eight times. This really underscores the importance of NAIAS when measured against the other North American shows, and we continue to be considered one of the top five shows in the world.

Q: What changes do you foresee at NAIAS in the next few years?

A: One of the big issues, obviously, is the need for more space at Cobo. This is an issue we're going to have to deal with as our policymakers work out a plan to expand and renovate Cobo Center. Over the next few years we will seck new ways to leverage technology to disseminate information about the show and our manufacturers' products. This might be one of the biggest frontiers, but finding additional space for exhibitors is going to continue to be a challenge.

Q: NAIAS already has a tremendous economic impact. How can we build on this success?

A: Independent analysts estimate that this show generates $580 million annually in economic impact to this region. I think this in and of itself is a big reason as to why we have to work as a region to continue to provide a first-class venue for the North American International Auto Show--so that we can showcase this region to the world. Furthermore, the cutting-edge research and development under way in Southeast Michigan could create additional opportunities to use Cobo as a venue to showcase innovative developments.

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The Detroiter gets the lowdown low·down  
n. Slang
The whole truth: gave us the lowdown on what happened at the party.

lowdown low (inf) n he gave me the lowdown on it →
 from Robert Thibodeau Jr., president and general manager of Bob Thibodeau Ford in Center Line and senior co-chairman of the 2007 North American International Auto Show.

Hot Companies! Hot Cars!

Companies across the Detroit Region are helping the auto industry develop safer, smarter and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Here's a quick look at four industry leaders in the R&D fast lane

BorgWarner Inc. Auburn Hills

BorgWarner is focused on creating the next "must have" technologies for the future that will keep its customers at the forefront of the automotive industry The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles. In 2006, more than 69 million motor vehicles, including cars and commercial vehicles were produced worldwide. .

BorgWarner's Advanced Technology engineering team in Auburn Hills supports the company's seven technical centers worldwide. Its goal is to leverage everything it knows about air management for optimal combustion, clutching and controls and efficient torque management--thinking beyond the scope of current technologies to develop the next generation of solutions for fuel economy, reduced emissions, performance and vehicle stability.

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"As a $4.3 billion automotive supplier focused exclusively on the automotive business, Metro Detroit The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in southeastern Michigan, centered on the city of Detroit. As the home of the "Big Three" American automakers (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler), it is the world's  is a natural fit for BorgWarner," says Chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board.  Tim Manganello. "Moving our headquarters here has resulted in significant benefits including closer connections with our global customers and suppliers"

DENSO International America Inc., Southfield

DENSO develops products that make the driving experience more comfortable and convenient for drivers and passengers alike. At this year's auto show, the company will showcase the world's thinnest card key, a rear heating/ventilation/air conditioning system, a personal climate control sensor and a product that supplies air to the vehicle cabin that is richer in oxygen.

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Nearly 10 percent of DENSO's 106,000 employees worldwide are exclusively dedicated to researching and developing new technology three to 15 years in advance of market introduction. In addition, 7 to 8 percent of annual the company's total sales revenue is specifically targeted for R&D.

Key Plastics LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol.

LLC - Logical Link Control
 Northville

Key Plastics, a Key Automotive Group company, offers complete assembly operations for injection-molded components, Class A exterior and interior painting, multiple interior surface decoration technologies, an accredited accredited

recognition by an appropriate authority that the performance of a particular institution has satisfied a prestated set of criteria.


accredited herds
cattle herds which have achieved a low level of reactors to, e.g.
 testing laboratory along with a complete CAD/CAE CAD/CAE Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Engineering  department with in-house rapid prototyping Building a part one layer at a time using a method of additive fabrication such as 3D printing. Such parts are used for concept modeling to determine if the product design meets the customer's expectations. .

Its Exterior Products Group is one of the leading manufacturers of exterior door handle assemblies in North America. This group's product listing also includes exterior cladding, tailgate A conversion layer that lets IDE devices connect to the IEEE 1394 Firewire interface.  handles designed for rear view cameras, liftgate lift·gate  
n.
A closure at the rear of a vehicle that can be raised during loading and unloading.
 handles, lightbars and fuel-door assemblies.

The company's Underhood Products Group is one of the leading manufacturers of pressurized pres·sur·ize  
tr.v. pres·sur·ized, pres·sur·iz·ing, pres·sur·iz·es
1. To maintain normal air pressure in (an enclosure, as an aircraft or submarine).

2.
 coolant coolant (kōō´lnt),
n
 and power steering power steering
n.
A device driven by the engine of a vehicle that facilitates the turning of the steering wheel by the driver.


power steering
Noun
 bottles in North America. This group's product listing includes brake reservoirs, battery trays, ignition housings, in-mold radiator baffles and underhood.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The Trim Products Group provides innovative design and manufacture of complex, decorated assemblies.

Siemens VDO VDO (Vereinigte DEUTA (Deutsche Tachometerwerke GmbH) OTA (OTA Apparate GmbH)) is a manufacturer of information and cockpit systems, navigation, telematics, communication and audio systems and control and fuel systems.  Automotive Corp. Headquarters, Auburn Hills

Global automotive electronics supplier Siemens VDO uses electronic and electrical technologies to improve engine performance, boost safety and reduce vehicle emissions. More than 50 percent of all cars on the nation's roads have Siemens technology inside, and approximately 70 percent of the company's 2,000 products are less than three years old.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The company's Piezo "Piezo", derived from the Greek piezein, which means to squeeze or press, is a prefix used in:
  • Piezoelectricity
  • Piezometer
  • Piezo ignition
  • Piezoelectric sensor
  • Piezoelectric loudspeakers
 injection system for both diesel and gasoline engines, for example, is a "green" technology that helps automakers meet fuel economy regulations and boosts performance at the same time. Siemens VDO actually "borrowed" this technology from another Siemens operating company operating company

A business that engages in transactions with outsiders.
 that used it in inkjet printers in the early 1990s.

Another innovative Siemens VDO technology is the electronic wedge brake (EWB EWB Engineers Without Borders
EWB Electronics Workbench (simulation software)
EWB Einzelwertberichtigung (auf Forderungen; banking, German) 
), an environmentally friendly Environmentally friendly, also referred to as nature friendly, is a term used to refer to goods and services considered to inflict minimal harm on the environment.[1]  low-power, low-energy braking technology that uses a car's kinetic energy kinetic energy: see energy.
kinetic energy

Form of energy that an object has by reason of its motion. The kind of motion may be translation (motion along a path from one place to another), rotation about an axis, vibration, or any combination of
 to stop itself, eliminating the need for hydraulic pipes, brake cylinders, brake boosters or traditional antilock an·ti·lock  
adj.
Of or being a motor vehicle braking system that electronically monitors and adjusts individual wheel speeds during braking to prevent the wheels from locking.
 braking control and braking fluid. EWB also enables shorter stopping distances on slippery roads.

The World's R&D Center

Global automakers choose the Detroit Region for their technical centers. Here's a look at three facilities that will define the vehicles of the 21st century.

Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance The Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance, or GEMA, is a manufacturing arm of Global Engine Alliance LLC, which is a joint venture of Chrysler, Mitsubishi Motors, and Hyundai Motor Company for developing a line of shared engines. , Dundee

The Monroe County Monroe County is the name of seventeen counties in the United States, named after President James Monroe:
  • Monroe County, Alabama
  • Monroe County, Arkansas
  • Monroe County, Florida
  • Monroe County, Georgia
  • Monroe County, Illinois
  • Monroe County, Indiana
 community of Dundee is now home to two state-of-the-art plants operated by the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA GEMA Gesellschaft für Musikalische Aufführungs- und Mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte (German musical copyright monitoring body)
GEMA Groupement des Entreprises Mutuelles d'Assurances (French) 
), a multinational partnership comprised of DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (三菱自動車工業株式会社   Corp.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

GEMA North and GEMA South are part of a five-factory global venture building a family of 1.8-liter, 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter engines jointly developed by all three automotive partners. Ground was broken for the combined 1.2-million-square-foot Dundee plants in April 2003. The second plant was completed in the fall of 2006.

When all five plants are fully operational, the combined project will be the largest engine manufacturing operation in the world. Annual production will reach 1.8 million units, including production sites in Asan and Hwasung, South Korea, and Shiga, Japan.

Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc. Superior Township

The 200,000-square-foot Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center near Ypsilanti supports the development of vehicles built for the U.S. market by Korean automakers Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors “Kia” redirects here. For other uses, see KIA.

Kia Motors is South Korea's 2nd largest automobile manufacturer with headquarters in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Its CEO is Chung Eui-sun. The American arm is Kia Motors America.
 America in such areas as reducing emissions and improving fuel economy and vehicle safety.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The $68-million expandable facility on a 60-acre site in Superior Township currently employees about 140 people. An additional 600 jobs will be added as a result of a $94 million expansion project announced only a few months after the facility opened less than three years ago.

Toyota Technical Center USA Inc., York Township may refer to:
  • York Township, Minnesota
  • York Township, Ohio (10 townships)
  • York Township, Pennsylvania
 

Toyota's new state-of-the-art technical center under construction near Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, city (1990 pop. 109,592), seat of Washtenaw co., S Mich., on the Huron River; inc. 1851. It is a research and educational center, with a large number of government and industrial research and development firms, many in high-technology fields such as , will greatly expand the Japanese automaker's existing research-and-development operations in Southeast Michigan. It also underscores the critical role automotive R&D plays in the Detroit Region.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Toyota Technical Center USA Inc. chose the 690-acre site in York Township because its current 106-acre Ann Arbor campus has limited space for future growth. With an initial investment of about $150 million, the new facility will add 400 jobs and boost TTC's total employment in the Ann Arbor area to 1,300 over the next three years.

"We believe Michigan is the optimum place for Toyota to expand its home base for North American engineering, development and research operations," says TTC TTC Trying To Conceive
TTC Toronto Transit Commission
TTC Trans Texas Corridor
TTC Toutes Taxes Comprises (French)
TTC Trident Technical College (North Charleston, SC)
TTC Temporary Traffic Control
 President Yasuhiko Ichihashi.

A World-Class Convention Center

Cobo's future as a showplace for innovation depends on visionary leadership

Detroit's Cobo Conference & Exhibition Center is perhaps best known as the home of the North American International Auto Show, but visionary leaders across Southeast Michigan see its future as a regional showplace for innovation, education and cutting-edge technology.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

How this vision is achieved in the coming years will depend on an unprecedented level of collaboration across the 10-county region, says Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Richard E. Blouse Jr.

In 2005, the Chamber's Board of Directors adopted a position to support, in concept, expanding Cobo Center and using it as a community asset coordinated with the strengths of the region's business community. Although the Chamber has not endorsed a specific plan, it stands ready to work collaboratively with other civic organizations, community leaders and elected officials to develop a long-term solution for Cobo Center.

"It is critical the community's leaders present a unified front on our desire to keep the North American International Auto Show and demonstrate we can work together to attain that goal," says Blouse.

Rod Alberts, executive vice president of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, agrees that Cobo has a bright future as a world-class convention center. In the NAIAS publication ShowTalk 2007. Alberts says a study is currently under way that's looking at expanding Cobo into a research and niche exhibition center for new technologies related to the auto and alternative energy industries.

The Gen X Perspective Memo to Marketing Gurus

Get smart: Keep your eyes on the industry that shapes our identity By Melissa Trustman

There is no identity crisis in Southeast Michigan, just a permanent state of identity limbo.

You could say we are in a protracted pro·tract  
tr.v. pro·tract·ed, pro·tract·ing, pro·tracts
1. To draw out or lengthen in time; prolong: disputants who needlessly protracted the negotiations.

2.
 period of adolescence: We know who we are; we just cannot explain it to another person. Our region and our state have struggled with an effective brand for years. It's no mystery--we simply are not marketing types. After about 100 years at the drafting table, sitting in front of an Auto CAD screen, in the testing lab and building business relationships, the gearheads in this region have had other things to worry about: making cars.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

When the Rust Belt moniker (1) A name, title or alias. See alias.

(2) A COM object that is used to create instances of other objects. Monikers save programmers time when coding various types of COM-based functions such as linking one document to another (OLE). See COM and OLE.
 was slapped onto Detroit and the rest of the Midwest, we got the jitters jitters 'Butterflies' Psychology An episode of nervousness or anxiety that often precedes a public event; jitters is a type of performance anxiety which may affect actors in a stage production–stage fright or soloist musicians; it may respond to anxiolytics  and started to deny our automotive identity as if it were a source of shame. We started to look to biotech, high-tech and automation--anything to degrease de·grease  
tr.v. de·greased, de·greas·ing, de·greas·es
To remove grease from: degrease machinery.



de·greas
 our hands and reverse the oxidation process. While we clearly need to work on a diversified economy, abandoning the industry that has shaped our identity was a bad idea.

The biggest events in the region--outside of sports and music--focus on the car. Even in our sports and music, you can see the automotive influence. January rolls around with snow and below-zero temperatures, and nearly a million people pour into the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The NAIAS kick-off charity preview is the single largest fundraiser in the region. A few weeks later, Cobo Center hosts the Society of Automotive Engineers SAE International (SAE) is a professional organization for mobility engineering professionals in aerospace, automotive and the commercial vehicle industries.

The Society is a standards development organization for the engineering of powered vehicles of all kinds, including
 (SAE) show, the official gearhead
For the Transformers character see Gearhead (Transformers).
Gearhead is the name of 2 DC Comics supervillains. History
Unrevealed
First appearing in Steel #14 (April 1995), the first Gearhead appeared in Steel
 fest for the entire world. When summer approaches, hot rods, meticulously restored classics and creatively inspired originals cruise out of garages and onto the streets. After weeks of cruising hometown streets and showing off slant sixes in parking lots on Tuesday nights, over a million people gather for the Woodward Dream Cruise The Woodward Dream Cruise is a classic car festival held annually on the third Saturday of August. The festival spans much of Woodward Avenue from Pontiac through Ferndale in Oakland County, Michigan, all the way to the State Fair Grounds inside the Detroit city limits, just south  in August.

It's safe to say that this region loves its cars. It's also safe to say that we're proud of our cars. We should be proud. The car is the most technologically advanced product in the world. A car is a computer, an engine, high-tech polymers, energy conversion, high-speed impact protection, automation and so much more. These technologies and the brainpower brain·pow·er  
n.
1. Intellectual capacity.

2. People of well-developed mental abilities: a country that doesn't value its brainpower.

Noun 1.
 it takes to bring them together are universal to just about any product, service or development in the marketplace.

Our fellow inhabitants
:This article is about the video game. For Inhabitants of housing, see Residency
Inhabitants is an independently developed commercial puzzle game created by S+F Software. Details
The game is based loosely on the concepts from SameGame.
 in the region, who could care less what kind of car they are driving, also benefit from our automotive legacy. The skills and cognitive capability the automotive industry has instilled in this region has fostered a multifaceted workforce that is rich with talent.

City, suburbs, young, old, black, white, Arabic, Hispanic, Asian, man, woman, Blue Voter, Red Voter--we all need to identify with a clear brand for the region. Whatever words we chose and whichever images we display, it sends a message to the world about who we are. In the establishment of any brand, inclusiveness is vital to its success. Something that energizes a majority of the individuals and brainpower in the region will not only bring us together, but also give us the best leverage to attract and retain business and business growth. In order to position us for the evolving global economy of almost 7 billion people, our region of 6.5 million needs all of the leverage we can muster.

Melissa Trustman is senior director of Government Relations at the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Big Three Go Green

Looking to a "greener, cleaner" future, Detroit's top domestic automakers are ramping up production of flexible fuel vehicles.

At a White House meeting in late 2006, the Big Three CEOs told President Bush that up to half of their vehicles could be capable of running on ethanol blends of up to 85 percent, known as E85, by 2012. To dramatize dram·a·tize  
v. dram·a·tized, dram·a·tiz·ing, dram·a·tiz·es

v.tr.
1. To adapt (a literary work) for dramatic presentation, as in a theater or on television or radio.

2.
 their point, they brought three vehicles to the nation's capital--the Ford Escape Hybrid The Ford Escape Hybrid, launched in 2004, is a gas-electric hybrid powered version of the Ford Escape SUV developed by the Ford Motor Company. Built in Kansas City, Missouri, it was the first hybrid SUV to hit the market. , the Saturn VUE Green Line hybrid and the Chrysler Sebring.

The meeting also gave Rick Wagoner of General Motors Corp., Alan Mulally of Ford Motor Co. and Tom LaSorda of DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group an opportunity to remind the administration just how important the domestic auto industry is to the U.S. economy. In a joint statement, they said their companies are the source, directly or indirectly, of more than 7 million U.S. jobs and $38 billion in U.S. investments over the past four years.

RELATED ARTICLE

The Ficano plan

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano introduced a plan in late 2006 to expand Cobo Center's exhibit space by 270,000 square feet--bringing the total to nearly 1 million square feet--and build a raised walkway to the Renaissance Center at a total cost of $968 million.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The funds would come from extending hotel and liquor taxes currently scheduled to expire in 2015 for another 35 years. Actual renovations would cost $425 million, but the price tag also includes buying the center from Detroit, paying existing debts and creating a fund to subsidize its operations. Under Ficano's plan, a coalition of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties along with the state of Michigan and the city of Detroit would operate the center.

The Media Is Wired

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Cobo Center, AT&T Michigan, the North American International Auto Show and the Detroit Regional Chamber, more than 6,000 media representatives from around the world will enjoy high-speed Internet connectivity at this year's show that is 300 times faster than what was available in 2006. The new bandwidth will also support numerous media applications not previously available.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Through teamwork, the group was able to find a solution that minimized investment costs into the network by utilizing existing city of Detroit infrastructure. The capacity that is now available is equivalent or beyond what is available in a major Fortune 500 corporation. The increased capacity will also be important to Cobo's efforts to attract additional users in the future--providing a greater competitive advantage in luring meetings and conferences.
COPYRIGHT 2007 Detroit Regional Chamber
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2007, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Publication:Detroiter
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Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Jan 1, 2007
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