AmericaJR.com’s Jason Rzucidlo was LIVE inside the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center for the 40th Annual Automotive News World Congress. In this gallery, look for photos from the first day of the conference. The afternoon session kicked off with GM President Dan Ammann, Google Self-Driving Car Project CEO John Krafcik and Toyota N.A. CEO James Lentz. The three automotive executives all spoke about self-driving cars known as autonomous vehicles. After a wonderful dinner, the program continued with the presentation of the IHS Automotive Loyalty Awards. That was followed by a keynote speech and discussion with Renault-Nissan Alliance President & CEO Carlos Ghosn. Stay tuned for photos of day two…
The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Jason Stein talking with Dan Ammann
Stein is Editor & Publisher of Automotive News
Ammann is President of General Motors
John Krafcik was the next speaker
He is the CEO of Google’s Self-Driving Car Project
Krafcik was the former CEO of Hyundai Motor America
He introduced us to Florence Swanson, a 94-year-old, self-driving car enthusiast
Self-driving cars are expected to hit the market in the next five years.
Google has teamed up with ROUSH, Continental and BOSCH, among many others.
Krafcik speaking with K.C. Crain of Automotive News
Krafcik is all smiles after his talk.
Toyota N.A. CEO Jim Lentz was next
He says Toyota is “ahead of the curve.”
There are 492 vehicles with 30 mpg highway or more being sold among all brands.
Meanwhile, Toyota is investing in the future of sustainable transportation with its Mirai hydrogen fuel cell.
The IHS Automotive Loyalty Awards
The presentation took place after dinner.
Sponsor booths in the concourse
SAP automotive software booth
The BMW i8 electric vehicle was on display
It’s one cool car!
Pricing starts at $140,000 and goes up.
Concept vehicle by CCS student Subum Lee
Here’s the Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle
Interior shot
It offers a range of 312 miles on a tank of hydrogen.
The Audi e-tron quattro
Interior shot
It offers 35 miles of gas-free driving before the diesel engine kicks on.
2016 Automotive News World Congress speakers
It’s the 40th anniversary of the conference
Automotive News pillow
Keynote speaker Carlos Ghosn with K.C. Crain
The IHS Automotive Loyalty Awards
Steve Had is V.P. of Sales & Marketing for IHS Automotive
Loyalty is improving across many brands
Flattening of the Return to Market
Customer groups: Super loyalist, loyalist and nomad
Sensitivity to customer satisfaction
Luxury car segment winners
Non-luxury truck segment winners
Luxury CUV/SUV segment winners
Steve Had presenting the awards
Toyota received the Asian market Loyalty to Make award
Bill Fay is General Manager of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
Ford has had 6 years over 60% loyalty
Chantel Lenard accepts the Overall Loyalty to Make award on behalf of Ford.
Jeep was honored with the Highest Conquest Percent award
Jim Morrison is the director of Jeep brand marketing
Tesla received the Most Improved Conquest Percent award
Diarmuid O’Connell is V.P. of Business Development at Tesla
Alan Batey accepted the Loyalty to Manufacturer award on behalf of General Motors.
K.C. Crain is the Group Publisher of Automotive News
Carlos Ghosn is the President & CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance
Ghosn chatting with K.C. Crain
“It’s going to take 4 or 5 years for autonomous vehicles to be reliable and mass marketable.”
Ghosn says the end goal is to make fuel cells a reality.
