The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) announced that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is sponsoring Planet M, the state’s branding initiative to foster, retain and expand the mobility sector.
It’s an attempt to position Michigan as the global “epicenter for future transportation as part of AutoMobili-D.” Planet M is a campaign created by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in conjunction with public and private partners.
AutoMobili-D will run from Sunday, Jan. 8 to Thursday, Jan. 12 as part of the North American International Auto Show’s Press Preview week. It will have more than 120 companies within a dedicated 120,000 sq. ft. display in Hall E. The space – adjacent to Cobo Center’s Atrium – will be renamed Planet M. In addition, a display within Planet M will highlight leading mobility companies and initiatives happening in Michigan. A theater within Planet M will host mobility presentations during Industry Preview (Jan. 11-12).
“Many of the auto shows around the world are adding more technology and mobility components,” said Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. “Planet M is Michigan’s effort to showcase our leadership in this space, and it’s a perfect campaign fit for the new AutoMobili-D section of one of the best auto shows in the world.”
Planet M was launched in June 2016 as a collaborative branding effort to promote Michigan as the “epicenter of mobility.” The messaging pushes Michigan’s leadership in talent development, auto R&D and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) testing.
Why Planet M?
- Michigan is home to the largest concentration of engineers in the nation.
- Leading the mobility movement, Michigan’s universities are home to programs and research groups driving the industry. Programs and projects include Cybersecurity, Big Data and Business Analytics and Next Generation Auto.
- The University Research Corridor universities (University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University) invest over $60 million annually on automotive innovation related to research and development.
- Michigan leads the nation in patents relating to navigation and smart mobility. Over 25% of all automotive patents are generated in Michigan, nearly three times as many as any other state.
- Kettering University recently opened its GM Mobility Research Center, opening opportunities for faculty to engage in applied research at the cutting edge of autonomous vehicle systems design and engineering.
- By 2017, Michigan will be home to two permanent and purpose-built autonomous vehicle testing sites, Mcity and the American Center for Mobility.
More Michigan Facts
- Michigan is an established foundation and home to 375 automotive research and development facilities, more than 50 percent of North America’s top auto suppliers have headquarters in Michigan and is ranked number one nationally for the number of advanced automotive industry jobs.
- Michigan leads the nation in patents relating to navigation and smart mobility. Over 25 percent of all automotive patents are generated in Michigan, nearly three times as many as any other state.
- Michigan is home to the largest deployment of freeway and surface street vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) technology in the U.S. By the end of 2019 Michigan will have more than 350 miles of infrastructure wired for V2I technology.
2017 NAIAS Dates
- The Gallery – Saturday, January 7, 2017
- AutoMobili-D – Sunday-Thursday, January 8-12, 2017
- Press Preview – Monday-Tuesday, January 9-10, 2017
- Industry Preview – Wednesday-Thursday, January 11-12, 2017
- Charity Preview – Friday, January 13, 2017
- Public Show – Saturday-Sunday, January 14-22, 2017
