Entering  its 24th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show featured 53 vehicle debuts, with 32 of those being worldwide introductions.

With over 500 vehicles on display from the world’s leading automakers like Chryser, Ford and Chevrolet, this year’s auto show is yet again spotlighting a vehicle made right here on Oakland University’s campus.

The OU Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 2010 and 2011 race cars are currently on display at Cobo Hall.

“This is huge for us. It not only gets our name out there, but really shows people what Oakland University has to offer and how you can be on an award winning team and do real-life stuff,” Thomas Garvey SAE business manager, said. “It’s just huge and being next to some of the biggest car companies in the world, it’s an amazing experience.”

Along with their newest 2011 car,  SAE’s 2010 race car is also on display.

The display is brand new and was donated by OU alumni Tracy Lindsay who is the proprietor of Lindsay Exhibit Group.

“She saw our booth last year and she came up to us and said that if we needed any help, just to call her,” Garvery said. “We knew that we wanted our display to be huge this year, so we decided to call her. She was excited to work on our display because she loves OU.”

The new display features new graphics, a light bar, tunnel lights and a donated ramp which showcases their 2011 car.

There is at least one person from SAE present at the booth at all times to answer technical questions. The booth also features OU staff, faculty and alumni.

“I think this is a really big step for us to be there again and to continue to represent Oakland University and the School of Engineering,” Evan Fischer, president of SAE, said.

Among some of the other big auto show debuts, Ford unveiled the new Focus and Fusion. Chrysler debuted their revived their Dodge Dart and Nissan, returning to the auto show after a four year haitus, revealed their new Pathfinder.

For more information on the North American International Auto Show, visit www.naias.com 

Contact local editor Ali Armstrong via e-mail at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @AliArmstrong1