Auto show boasts EVs, luxury cars, West Michigan parts

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The 2024 Michigan International Auto Show has officially started in downtown Grand Rapids. Although the cars aren’t assembled in West Michigan, local companies play a big role in vehicle production.

As crowds browse the floor during the 26th Michigan International Auto Show, what makes a lot of the vehicles possible is happening in West Michigan.

“Everybody always thinks that Detroit is the place where all the cars are made but it expands out into a supply chain,” said Stephen Koets, chairman of the board for the Precision Metalforming Association-West Michigan District.

Michigan International Auto Show opens Thursday

The Precision Metalforming Association-West Michigan District, represents more than 70 companies. Although you may not notice some of their products on the auto floor, they’re an important part of what make cars go.

“As you drive around Holland, Michigan or Grand Rapids, Michigan, you see all of the tier one companies that all make the modules, the injection molders, the wiring harness and it all ends up in an assembly plant,” Koets said.

The company that Koets works for, Grand Rapids-based Pridgeon & Clay, has produced more than 110 million vehicle parts in 2023 alone.

“It’s very easy for me to walk around the Auto Show here and point out an F-150 or an F-250 and it’s worth $47 million, just to my company,” Koets said.

Gentex Corporation is the largest employer in Ottawa County, and the company manufacturers high end electronics for industries like automotive.

“When you see the high-end technology in mirrors and windows, that’s Gentex. So, the auto industry is really important to what we do, as they grow and really the technology in automotive grows,” said Daniel Quintanilla, director of talent acquisition with Gentex Corporation. “If you walk the floors here, nearly every vehicle has a Gentex product on it”.

While the auto industry is a majority of what Gentex focuses on, over time the company has recognized the importance of placing their technology on more than just cars.

“Also in medical, and fire protection, aerospace, really diversifying what we do,” Quintanilla said.

In addition to showcasing their technology, Gentex says the auto show is an opportunity to discuss what jobs they have available.

The Auto Show will continue through Sunday.

In total, 25 different manufacturers have displays on the exhibit floor, including Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, Toyota and Subaru. You’ll be able to hop inside these vehicles and check out all the features.

The show boasts everything from classic vehicles from the Gilmore Car Museum to new cars, like the 2024 GMC Arcadia. There’s also an exhibit in the Michigan Auto Salon that shows off luxury brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini.

On Electric Avenue, you can browse plenty of electric vehicles and hybrids. This is the second year of the avenue, and because of its popularity, organizers decided to go bigger this year.

“Many more vehicles on display this year — not just in the Electric Avenue section here, but throughout the show, we’ve got a little over 20, I believe, full electrics and plug-in hybrids total, which is very exciting,” said blogger James Morin, who writes about EVs.

Ben Kirby is the sales manager with Auto Image in Plainwell, which restyles and customizes cars. He said the auto show gives the company an opportunity to show what they can do.

“(Customers) don’t have to go get that Lariat F150, they can go get an XLT, add leather in it, and actually save thousands and get exactly what they’re looking for. And then be able to customize it and kind of change colors or whatever they want and that’s with anyone. So, you can spend less on your vehicle, add the accessories you want specifically and roll it into your payment and kind of educate people while we’re here,” said Kirby.

There’s still a lot of time to stop by the Auto show. It’s open Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. You can purchase tickets online or in person.

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