NACE | CARS has announced details for the destination tours in Detroit for 2015. These tours have been organized to provide attendees with the opportunity to visit some of Detroit’s historical venues, as well as gain firsthand insight into the original automotive plants through both docent-guided and self-guided tours.
The tours will take place throughout the week of NACE | CARS. Interested parties must pre-register through the NACE | CARS registration process. All are available, with limited capacity. Charter buses will be provided from the COBO Center to take attendees to and from the tours.
NACE | CARS Destination Tours feature nine unique opportunities in 2015:
Ford Rogue Factory Tour (F-150): This tour will put you in the center of the manufacturing of the new military grade aluminum-alloy bodied Ford F-150, including an opportunity to view the final assembly process from an elevated walkway. You will view the latest Ford technology, their “living roof,” and experience the Manufacturing Innovation Theater. The tour includes admission and guided tour with a docent.
• Wednesday, July 22: Board 12:45 p.m. – Depart 1:15 p.m. – Return 5 p.m.
• Thursday, July 23: Board 8:45 a.m. – Depart 9:15 a.m. – Return 12:30 p.m.
The Ford Piquette Plant Museum: This is the oldest auto plant open to the public in the world and is the birthplace of the Model T. This tour provides you with a one-of-a-kind experience at a truly historical plant, almost unchanged since Henry Ford and his team developed the car that led to an automotive and social revolution. The tour includes admission to the museum as well as a guided tour.
• Wednesday, July 22: Board 1 p.m. – Depart 1:30 p.m. – Return 4 p.m.
• Saturday, July 25: Board 11 a.m. – Depart 11:30 a.m. – Return 2 p.m.
The Henry Ford Museum: This museum is a destination that showcases American ideas and inventions past and present, bringing them to life across an expansive space. The display of classic cars, trains, planes and inventions sweeps across the museum’s nine acres. The tour includes admission to the museum for a self-guided tour.
• Wednesday, July 22: Board 12 p.m. – Depart 12:30 p.m. – Return 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 25: Board 8:30 a.m. – Depart 9 a.m. – Return 3:30 p.m.
General Motors Heritage Center: The GM North American Heritage Collection is made up of approximately 600 cars and trucks, reflecting industry firsts, technological experiments, concept cars and significant race cars, as well as milestone production vehicles. The center also houses a massive collection of archived documents and auto artifacts. The tour includes admission and an introduction by staff.
• Friday, July 24: Board 9 a.m. – Depart 9:30 a.m. – Return 12:30 p.m.
Walter P. Chrysler Museum: Sponsored in part by Mopar, this tour is guided and includes a lunch at the Viper Cafe on site. The museum covers 55,000 square feet, featuring three floors of more than 65 antique, custom and concept vehicles interspersed with interactive displays and historical exhibits about Chrysler’s contributions to automotive design, technology and innovation, as well as their impact on American culture.
• Wednesday, July 22: Board 11:30 a.m. – Depart 12 p.m. – Return 4 p.m.
General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck (Chevy Volt) Assembly Plant: This tour will begin with an introductory video and presentation. Then, guests will board motorized carts, which will transport everyone through the assembly area in a guided tour of the facility. The plant is home to every Chevrolet Volt ever manufactured, as well as many other models, including those from throughout the world and the Cadillac ELR.
• Friday, July 24: Board 7:30 a.m. – Depart 8 a.m. – Return 11 a.m.
The Conner Avenue (Dodge Viper) Assembly Plant: This plant, originally opened to produce Champion spark plugs in 1966, has been used for small-scale specialty production since 1996, producing vehicles such as the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler. The tour of this plant includes admission and a docent guide.
• Wednesday, July 22: Board 12 p.m. – Depart 12:30 p.m. – Return 3 p.m.
• Friday, July 24: Board 7 a.m. – Depart 7:30 a.m. – Return 10 a.m.
The Yankee Air Museum: With admission and guided tour included, this museum allows you to experience military aviation history and view sky giants such as the B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-25 Mitchell, the C-47 Skytrain and others. This aircraft manufacturing complex, which opened in 1941, was an innovation of its time – the first to use Ford’s automotive mass production technique.
• Saturday, July 25: Board 8:45 a.m. – Depart 9:15 p.m. – Return 1 p.m.
Diamond Jack River Boat Cruise: This narrated cruise will allow you to see Detroit from a whole new perspective. This tour will allow you to learn about the city’s rich history from the Belle Isle on the Detroit River, the world’s busiest international waterway.
• Saturday, July 25: Board 11:45 a.m. – Depart 12:15 p.m. – Return 3:30 p.m.
Name badges are required to participate in the tours. Transportation will depart from (and return to) the COBO Center Atrium/Riverside entrance on Atwater Street. Check in no later than 15 minutes prior to each tour’s scheduled departure time. Attendees and exhibitors at NACE | CARS are encouraged to participate in the destination tours to experience the Motor City at its finest.
Further information about the tours can be found on the NACE | CARS website.
