CHICAGO, Jan. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2018 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview will officially open Thursday, Feb. 8 with the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) breakfast. MAMA President Jill Ciminillo will present the MAMA Family Vehicle of the Year award and introduce keynote speaker Thomas Doll, president and COO of Subaru of America, Inc.
"The Subaru brand has enjoyed nine consecutive years of growth by delivering the vehicles that people want to drive," said Doll. "We know that the best place for people to experience a vehicle is here at the auto show and the Chicago Auto Show is one of the best I know for giving consumers a great brand experience within a fantastic setting."
Doll joined Subaru of America, Inc. in 1982. In 1991, he became vice president of business and strategic planning. In April 2009, Doll was promoted to chief operating officer. In April 2013, Doll was promoted to president. Doll received a bachelor's degree in accounting from Villanova University and a master's degree from Drexel University.
Hinrich Woebcken, CEO of the North America Region, Volkswagen and president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., will be the guest speaker at the Economic Club of Chicago (ECC) Luncheon. Woebcken oversees Volkswagen activities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Prior to joining Volkswagen, Woebcken worked for 30 years in the automotive industry for Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs. A native of Germany, Woebcken earned a degree in industrial engineering from University of Applied Science, Rosenheim, Germany, in 1985.
"In 2017, Volkswagen started its comeback in the United States, and we think that the Chicago Auto Show is a great venue to introduce the cars and SUVs that will drive our sales growth going forward," said Woebcken. "I am also pleased to be able to share our story with such a prestigious organization as the Economic Club of Chicago."
Founded in 1927 to serve as a forum for Chicago's business community, the ECC is one of the city's finest business groups and has a decade-long association with the Chicago Auto Show. The ECC has grown to become a premier institution, providing elite members of the business world a platform to express and discuss economic, business and social issues. The ECC luncheon at the Chicago Auto Show is a cornerstone event of the Chicago Auto Show Media Preview, boasting speeches from Dan Ammann, Bill Ford, Ralph Gilles, Yoshi Inaba and Jim Press.
For more details on the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, please visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.
About the Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America, spanning more than 1 million square feet of production, concept and exotic vehicle exhibit space. In addition to hosting multiple world and North American vehicle debuts, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity raises more than $2.5 million annually for 18 vital Chicago organizations on a single night. The 2018 public show is Feb. 10-19. For more information, visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com or www.Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow.
The 2018 Chicago Auto Show is officially sanctioned by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers. Founded in Paris in 1919, it is known as the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs.
About the Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is one of the nation's largest metropolitan dealer organizations. It is comprised of more than 420 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group's dealer members employ about 20,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world-famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information please visit www.CATA.info.
SOURCE Chicago Auto Show