Gov. Snyder signs a commemorative 'Car of the Year' badge of the Volkswagen Golf, winner of the 2015 North American Car of the Year award. (WXMI/Josh Sidorowicz)
DETROIT -- Gov. Rick Snyder didn't allow his torn Achilles tendon to hinder him from taking his traditional tour of the show floor at the North American International Auto Show in downtown Detroit Tuesday.
“This is important, it’s a great opportunity to talk about the wonderful things going on in Detroit and it’s great for Michigan," Snyder said.
“The show is a great illustration of the success of the industry, the industry is doing well, Detroit is doing well, Michigan is doing well. Let’s stay on the gas.”
Snyder, with the help of crutches and a golf cart, made stops at all of the 'Big Three' displays including Ford where he met with the company's CEO Mark Fields. Snyder was also shown the Ford F-150, this year's winner of the North American Truck of the Year award.
Elsewhere, Snyder also stopped at Volkswagen's display to meet with executives and see the VW Golf, this year's winner of the North American Car of the Year award.
Perhaps appropriate, the self-described 'nerd' ended his visit at the first ever 'Technology Showcase' featured at the Detroit show. He toured several of the displays and met with engineering and design students who had some of their experimental vehicles on display at the Shell Innovation Track.
Gov. Snyder toured the auto show in Detroit Tuesday, making a stop at the show's 'Technology Showcase.' (WXMI/Josh Sidorowicz)
Snyder made a point to encourage young people--the next generation of auto engineers and manufactures--to attend the show keep the state's industry moving.
"Autos are a great thing to be involved with, period," Snyder said. “If you want to be at the cutting edge of technology, the best place to do it is the auto industry, so I encourage our young people to really look at the auto industry as a career opportunity.”
