2017 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview to Feature Keynotes by Fiat Chrysler Automobile's Ralph Gilles and General Motors' Dan Ammann

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Jan 18, 2017, 08:30 ET

CHICAGO, Jan. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2017 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview will open on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7:30 a.m. with the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) breakfast. MAMA will present the Family Vehicle of the Year award and introduce keynote speaker Ralph Gilles, head of design, FCA – Global.

"It's an honor to have someone of Ralph's caliber to open the nation's largest auto show," said Mike McGrath, Chicago Auto Show chairman. "FCA has long supported the Chicago Auto Show with executive addresses, important product introductions, indoor test tracks and the largest display it produces worldwide."

Later in the day, General Motors President Dan Ammann will take the stage to keynote the Economic Club of Chicago (ECC) luncheon, which begins at noon. The ECC is one of Chicago's finest business groups and has had a decade-long association with the Chicago Auto Show.

"From electric propulsion to innovative connected technologies, General Motors is an industry leader," said Dave Sloan, Chicago Auto Show general manager. "As such, Dan is perfectly positioned to discuss how the auto industry moves forward over the next decade."

The MAMA breakfast and the ECC luncheon are cornerstone events of the Chicago Auto Show Media Preview. Past MAMA speakers include an impressive lineup such as Mark LaNeve, Alan Batey, Bob Carter and Andy Goss – to name a few. Previous ECC keynotes include Lex Kerssemakers, Bill Ford, Jim Press, Henrik Fisker, Jonathan Browning, José Muñoz and Yoshi Inaba.

Ralph Gilles Bio: Gilles serves on the Group Executive Council (GEC) for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA). Gilles served as the Senior Vice President – Product Design and President and CEO – Motorsports, FCA – North America; President and CEO – SRT Brand and President and CEO – Dodge brand for FCA US LLC. He was named Vice President – Design in September 2008. Gilles is extremely active inside and outside the Company.

He currently serves as the executive sponsor of the Chrysler African American Network (CAAN) in addition to playing a supporting role with The Chrysler Global Diversity Council. He also serves on the board of the Michigan Design Council. At his alma mater, The College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, Gilles is a member of the CCS Board of Trustees and the CCS Capital Committee.

Dan Ammann Bio: Ammann was named president of General Motors in January 2014. He is responsible for managing the company's business operations around the world, the global Chevrolet and Cadillac brand organizations, global product planning, new business development and GM Financial. Ammann is a member of the board of directors of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company and Lyft, Inc., and is a certified industry pool test driver at the Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack in Germany.

Doors open for the MAMA breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and at noon for the ECC Luncheon on Feb. 9. Valid media or exhibitor credentials are required for admission. Media can register for media credentials through Jan. 20 via https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/media/media-credentials/.

For more information on the 2017 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 in a single night. The 2017 public show will be Feb. 11-20. For more information, visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com or www.Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow.

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