Governor Pence Leading Jobs Mission to International Auto Show

Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence will depart on a day-long jobs and economic development mission to the 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit tomorrow to strengthen Indiana’s relationships with automotive industry leaders and market Indiana’s business development success story.

“Indiana has a legacy in automotive innovation, beginning with our early days in auto racing and continuing today,” said Pence. “That legacy has helped Indiana become a leader in developing and implementing automotive technologies and is a chief reason why top players in the industry are dedicating their valuable time to meet with our team, providing the opportunity to tell Indiana’s story as a state that works for the automotive industry.”

During the trip, the governor will attend the NAIAS at Detroit’s Cobo Center where he will visit exhibition booths and meet with leaders from the world’s most influential automotive companies, including Honda, Subaru, Chevrolet, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Toyota. He will also visit the NAIAS exhibition booth of Japan-based AISIN. In addition to his visit to the auto show, he will hold a meeting with Mary Barra, chief executive officer of General Motors, as well as meetings with Italy-based companies OMR and Sirmax.

NAIAS is one of the most prestigious automotive shows in the world. With more than 34,000 attendees joining automotive professionals representing 2,000 companies from around the globe, NAIAS previews more than 500 vehicles, providing first looks at new vehicle models and automotive technologies and innovations.

“Indiana-built cars are keeping the world—and Indiana’s economy—moving,” said Pence. “Our state’s automotive industry is the second largest in the nation, creating jobs for Hoosiers at assembly plants and hundreds of companies across the state. At the North American International Auto Show we’ll be meeting with global auto companies and suppliers, strengthening our existing ties and continuing the conversation of why Indiana works for their industry and why our Hoosier workforce has the experience and skills to build the best vehicles in the world.”

Secretary of Commerce Victor Smith and Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) staff will accompany the Governor for the one-day trip, building practical connections and strengthening existing relationships between Indiana and the automotive industry. The cost of the state delegation is being covered through private donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation.

Home to four original equipment manufacturer assembly plants and more than 650 automotive suppliers, Indiana’s motor vehicle industry is the second largest by gross domestic product in the United States, producing more than $9.8 billion in goods annually. With manufacturers and suppliers across the state, Indiana produced more than 1.1 million cars and light trucks in 2013. In addition, the automotive industry directly employs more than 124,000 workers in Indiana and experienced a 32 percent growth rate since 2010.

The governor will depart for Detroit tomorrow morning and return to Indiana that afternoon.