Ride-along experiences give depth to auto show

METRO DETROIT — Back downtown for its second post-pandemic event, the North American International Auto Show is mostly what industry watchers have come to expect from the annual automotive gathering.

General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis take up the majority of Huntington Place’s floor space. Toyota Motor Corp. is the only non-Detroit manufacturer with a significant presence, while Volkswagen of America Inc., American Honda Motor Co. and Kia America, Inc. have smaller exhibits. Electric vehicles are given a considerable amount of attention on the show floor with GM, Ford and Stellantis showing off their electric truck, SUV and crossover offerings.

But for those looking to go beyond looking at exhibits and sitting in static cars, look no further than the four different ride-along experiences.

Electric enthusiasts can take a ride on the Powering Michigan EV Experience, where seven brands — BMW of North America LLC, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Tesla and Volkswagen — give a rapid ride through a twisting course at the back of the exhibition hall. EVs of all sizes are available for rides ranging from the Chevrolet Bolt EUV compact to the titanic GMC Hummer EV.

The Powering Michigan EV Experience provides a smooth-if-intense ride through the hall, but those looking for a more rugged ride-along are in an abundance of luck. Ford, Jeep and Ram all provide terrain-filled experiences to put their off-road vehicles to the test. Ram’s Truck Territory course puts its 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks through an industrial-themed route with inclines, banked corners and rough terrain. Camp Jeep has a similar experience where Wranglers and Grand Cherokees test their off-road capabilities on a trail-themed course.

“A lot of times, people ask questions about Jeep and if owners really do go off-road,” said Stellantis spokesperson Rick Deneau. “Some do and some don’t, but if you don’t, maybe you don’t know about the capability of the vehicle. This (Camp Jeep) is really awe-inspiring, going up the steepest and highest hills, going through the different areas with the wheel articulation. You might not experience that if you’re not an off-roader.”

Ford’s Built Wild experience puts the Ranger Raptor and Bronco Badlands through much of the similar paces, including a 38-degree climb and descent as well as other hazards like inclines and uneven terrain. The F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E are available for rides at the Powering Michigan EV Experience.

“The whole goal is really to get people to experience these vehicles so they can understand what these vehicles can do, especially these electric vehicles,” said Ford spokesperson Dan Barbossa. “We really want people to understand a Lightning, how fast it can go, how light it is and the capability that it has as well.”

Younger attendees will get a chance to test drive a car of their own at the new Camp Jeep Kids Zone. The all-new Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler 4xE is ready for a spin around the Kids Course, while a 26-foot-tall climbing wall adds a hint of adventure to the auto show experience.

The North American International Auto Show runs at Huntington Place from Sept. 16 to Sept. 24 and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., except on Sept. 24, when the show ends at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at naias.com.