2014 North American International Auto Show will be affair to remember

The upcoming North American International Auto Show will be interesting.

The NAIAS kicks off Jan. 13 for media/industry week, the black-tie charity preview is Jan. 17 and the show opens to the public Jan. 18.

Newly installed Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will take his place on the Big Four dais along with Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano Jan. 16 as headliners of the Detroit Economic Club luncheon.

The luncheon will mark their first official confab together and is being staged with the Detroit Auto Dealers Association and CBS 62 at Cobo Center.

As moderator, I can guarantee there will be questions for the foursome about the Motor City, the water department and politics — for starters.

Duggan, who showed he can deliver zingers with the best of them during the debates, will have an interesting time alongside the quick-witted Patterson and Hackel.

If you have a question to suggest for the Big Four, send it to clcain@cbs.com.

For DEC tickets: 313-963-7399 or www.econclub.org .
Barra takes control

Mary Barra — the first female CEO of General Motors — assumes control of the world’s largest automaker Jan. 15 during industry days.

There will be 60 exhibitors at this year’s show. The annual auto event has had an economic impact of $10 billion on our region over the past 25 years.

After hearing complaints about aching feet from people walking around the sprawling NAIAS Charity Preview, a sponsor will provide slippers and a tote bag that evening.

Cars.com will provide 5,000 pairs of slippers, said Rod Alberts, executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, which puts on the NAIAS.

They will be distributed from a Cars.com kiosk on the main show floor and inside the Grand Ballroom at 8 p.m. that night.

Alberts and his team expect to sell 14,000 tickets to the preview — which is a fund-raiser for children’s charities.

And there is a new twist — Studio 25 — an after party at Cobo to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the international element of the show. You need a preview ticket as well as a Studio 25 ticket (another $150 each).

Charter One/RBS Citizens is the presenting sponsor of the preview and Opportunity Detroit for Studio 25.
Performances set

Grammy winner Sheryl Crow will perform at the charity preview. It’s déjà vu for Alberts.

Crow was the roommate of a friend of Alberts in the mid ’80s in St. Louis where she taught.

“She played the piano and filled in singing at a local club periodically.”

The Commodores will perform at Hyundai’s exhibit.

And there will be an aerial acrobat performing at the Via Motors display to delight the media Jan. 13 and 14.

For more: www.naias.com

As read on: http://www.freep.com/article/20131229/COL24/312290063/Carol-Cain-Mike-Duggan-auto-show-detroit