Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (left) steps into a simulated autonomous model at Nexteer’s booth during the Frankfurt Motor Show. The global company specializes in steering and driveline business systems and is developing automated driving technologies for future vehicles. Nexteer’s global HQ is located in Auburn Hills.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Governor’s Office
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder wrapped up his nine-day investment mission to Japan and Germany Thursday, a 16,000-plus mile journey that took him to meetings with business and government leaders.
“Our meetings throughout the week with Japanese and German business executives focused on the next chapter of cooperation and foreign investment in Michigan,” said Snyder. “This week has been highly productive in deepening and strengthening significant relationships with businesses bringing investments, expanded facilities and jobs to Michigan.”
On the final two days of his mission, Snyder attended the 67th Frankfurt Auto Show where he met with more than 75 companies at the show, varying from those with a current Michigan presence to companies that the state and local partners are trying to attract.
While in Frankfurt, the governor promoted the PlanetM campaign and pushed messaging with international media and individual companies that Michigan is a mobility leader and well-poised to help companies lead the automobile industry of the future.
“Michigan is the center of the global auto industry, and we are sharing the message that we lead the world in the development and integration of intelligent connected vehicles,” Snyder said. “The Frankfurt Auto Show is the ideal place to promote Michigan’s strength in the automotive sector and our range of global autonomous-vehicle initiatives collectively known as PlanetM.”
The Frankfurt Auto Show is the world’s largest automotive event, focusing on the latest trends in passenger vehicles. This year’s slogan, “Future Now,” reflects the show’s focus on trends in connected and automated driving, electric mobility, and the urban mobility concepts of tomorrow.
Snyder concluded his trip by touring the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden base, the location of the U.S. Army Europe headquarters. While there he met with Major General Steven A. Shapiro and Deputy Commanding General Christopher T. Donahue and discussed Michigan’s Protect and Grow strategy, the state’s initiative focused on today’s military needs and the future of our defense system.
Over the course of the mission, Snyder met with top executives from some 80 Japanese and German automotive OEMs and suppliers delivering the message that Michigan is the premier automotive business location in North America.
Other missions led by Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley include France, Japan, South Korea, Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico, Israel, Chile, Columbia, India, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Ireland and Great Britain. The missions have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars of investments in Michigan by foreign companies adding jobs to Michigan’s workforce.
