Peters Tours Big Three Auto Exhibits at NAIAS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today toured the exhibits of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler at the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) press preview at Cobo Center in Detroit.

“Our auto industry is on the verge of a new frontier, and this year’s auto show is a strong display of how Michigan’s auto manufacturers and suppliers are leading the way in new vehicle innovations and advanced technologies,” said Senator Peters. “From developing lightweight manufacturing materials to pioneering connected and autonomous vehicle communications systems, the American auto industry is shaping the way we will get around for decades to come.”

Last year marked record-breaking auto sales with nearly 17.5 million vehicles sold in the United States. The previous annual sales record of 17.4 million vehicles was set in 2000. According to a 2015 report by the Auto Alliance, the automotive industry, including manufacturers, suppliers and dealers, supports more than 7.25 million jobs nationwide and more than 943,000 jobs in Michigan.

“After a year of record sales and predictions for a robust 2016, American autoworkers have shown they can compete and succeed in the global marketplace. As the auto industry continues to grow and foster new innovation, it will continue driving economic growth and creating good-paying, middle class jobs in Michigan and across the country,” Peters added.

Peters, a member of Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, has made promoting advanced manufacturing and advanced vehicle technologies a top priority in the U.S. Senate. He recently visited Leggett and Platt Commercial Vehicle Products in Taylor to discuss his Vehicle Innovation Act, which promotes investments in research and development of clean vehicle technologies to improve fuel efficiency, including lightweight materials, vehicle-to vehicle communications (V2V) and hydrogen and natural gas powered vehicles. Peters’ provision to promote investments in vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technology was also signed into law as part of the highway bill approved by Congress last fall.

Advanced vehicle technologies like V2V and V2I allow connected vehicles and infrastructure to communicate with one another to help prevent collisions, relieve traffic congestion and improve fuel efficiency. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTHSA) found that V2V and V2I communication technologies have the potential to eliminate up to 80 percent of vehicle accidents involving non-impaired drivers once they are fully deployed.