Once a month, I’m going to share a snapshot of what it’s like to live in metro Detroit and the sometimes strange but wonderful people, places and things that are happening in the D.
Here in Detroit, we have a second stage holiday season, during the second week of January. It’s our Oscars, our raison d’etre: a little thing we casually call the Auto Show. It’s like opening day of deer season for car enthusiasts. This year, I was lucky to attend a preview night and man, my hunter’s heart was intrigued and awed by the amazing artistry and technology crafted right here in my hometown.
Even though I never worked in an auto related field, I feel very connected to the auto industry and the cars that drive our local economy. My father, Burt, fostered in me my love of American cars, and the importance of being loyal to the people, communities and businesses here in Detroit. My first car was a Pontiac 6000 and with my October birthday, I was the first of my friends to drive. That car saw so many good times and I still remember how the sun shone off its hood and the sound the engine made as I drove through the neighborhood. (I’m sure my neighbors remember, too…sorry Mrs. Eisenberg, Kepes, George, you name it…)
This year at NAIAS, it is what’s inside the cars that got me most excited. Technology is advancing with light speed to meet the needs of drivers who spend a lot of time in their cars. Designers are adapting interiors to be more comfortable and adding user interfaces that marry the ease of smart phones with the sophistication of an advanced computer system.
Before long, something only Michael Knight (Knight Rider! Google it!) had and I have always wanted will arrive: the driverless car! Now you tell me, hunters, what was your first car? What is the next great advance you’d like to see come out of Detroit?
