Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
313 Presents Announces Exclusive Presenting Partnership with Comerica Bank for Fox Theatre
Detroit’s largest banking network provider, Comerica Bank, will be the exclusive 313 Presents presenting partner of the Fox Theatre in downtown Detroit.
The partnership will feature community initiatives focused on youth empowerment combines resources from each partner to engage and connect community organizations and schools to the Fox Theatre and to other resources such as financial education and career development. Specific community-focused programming will be announced at a later date.
Additionally, the Fox Theatre and Comerica Bank will provide exclusive benefits for Comerica card holders, set to launch in 2022.
“The Fox Theatre is one of the most legendary showplaces of the world and plays an integral role within our community,” says Howard Handler, president of 313 Presents. “We are excited to welcome Comerica Bank to help us amplify this beloved venue’s expansive array of world-class entertainment for our guests. Comerica Bank’s commitment to the Fox Theatre and Detroit is fully aligned with our goal to make a positive difference in people’s lives within and around the city.”
Comerica Bank’s presenting partnership with the Fox Theatre expands upon its established sports and entertainment relationships, including with the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers, and deepens the bank’s investment into the city of Detroit and southeast Michigan, which dates back 172 years.
“As one of the nation’s most iconic entertainment venues, the Fox Theatre is deeply rooted in Detroit’s rich history and has become vital to the city’s rebirth and renaissance over the past two decades,” says Mike Ritchie, Michigan market president at Comerica Bank. “Our goal in partnering with 313 Presents focuses on supporting the Fox Theatre’s presentation of marquee events and performances while preserving the grandness of the theatre’s authentic and original beauty. Additionally, we look forward to building collaborative philanthropic engagements that will further connect our communities to the Fox Theatre and create a lasting impact.”
Olympia Development of Michigan has also partnered with Comerica to name the parking garage located at 50 W. Montcalm Street, across from the historic Fox Theatre, the Comerica Garage, which includes new signage to be installed soon.
Chevrolet Resumes Bolt EV Battery Production
General Motors Cp. In Detroit on Monday outlined a comprehensive action plan to ensure that customers can safely and confidently drive, charge, and park the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV. The action plan includes both hardware and software remedies, some of which are in place with immediate effect.
“We’re grateful for the patience of owners and dealers as we work to advance solutions to this recall,” says Doug Parks, executive vice president of global product development, purchasing and supply chain at GM. “Resuming battery module production is a first step and we’ll continue to work aggressively with LG to obtain additional battery supply. In addition, we’re optimistic a new advanced diagnostic software will provide more convenience for our customers.”
LG battery plants in Holland and Hazel Park have resumed production. In addition, LG is adding capacity to provide more cells to GM. As a result, replacement battery modules will begin shipping to dealers as soon as mid-October.
The root cause of the rare circumstances that could cause a battery fire is two manufacturing defects known as a torn anode and a folded separator, both of which need to be present in the same battery cell.
LG has implemented new manufacturing processes and has worked with GM to review and enhance its quality assurance programs to provide confidence in its batteries moving forward. LG will institute these new processes in other facilities that will provide cells to GM in the future.
GM says it will continue to prioritize Chevy Bolt EV and EUV customers whose batteries were manufactured during specific build timeframes where GM believes battery defects appear to be clustered. The company has established a notification process that will inform affected customers when their replacement modules will be available.
The new batteries will include an extended battery 8-year/100,000-mile limited warranty (or 8-year/160,000 km limited warranty in Canada).
Within approximately 60 days, GM will begin launching a new advanced diagnostic software package that will increase the available battery charging parameters over existing guidance.
The diagnostic software will be designed to detect specific abnormalities that might indicate a damaged battery in Bolt EVs and EUVs by monitoring the battery performance; alerting customers of any anomalies; and prioritizing damaged battery modules for replacement. It is GM’s intent that further diagnostic software will allow customers to return to a 100 percent state of charge once all diagnostic processes are complete.
This new software, which will be provided to all Bolt EV and EUV owners, requires dealer installation. Owners will be able to start to schedule installation at their Chevy EV dealer in approximately 60 days.
In an abundance of caution, GM recommends customers leave ample space around their vehicle wherever they choose to park. GM is not aware of any fires that have occurred where customers followed the following safety guidance, in parking decks or otherwise”
- Set the vehicle to a 90 percent state of charge limitation using Target Charge Level mode. Instructions on how to do this are available on chevy.com/boltevrecall. If customers are unable to successfully make these changes or do not feel comfortable making these changes, GM is asking them to visit their dealer to have these adjustments completed.
- Charge the vehicle more frequently and avoid depleting battery below approximately 70 miles (113 km) of remaining range, where possible.
- Continue to park vehicles outside immediately after charging and do not leave vehicles charging indoors overnight.
Detroit Grand Prix Reverts to Single IndyCar Race Format for 2022
When the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear returns to Belle Isle June 3-5, 2022, it will once again be a single Sunday race for the NTT IndyCar Series rather than the Saturday-Sunday double header it has run in recent years.
The weekend of racing on the island also will include Indy Lights Series, the top rung on the Road to Indy development ladder. The exotic sports cars of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship also will be running on the Belle Isle track next June.
The Grand Prix also returns to its traditional first weekend in June, the week following the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend. Racing will begin on Belle Isle with the return of Comerica Bank Free Prix Day on Friday, June 3 with practice sessions planned for IndyCar, Indy Lights and IMSA, along with qualifying for the IMSA DPi and GTD classes.
Saturday, June 4 will feature IndyCar qualifying, the first Indy Lights race of the weekend and the IMSA Chevrolet Sports Car Classic race on the 14-turn street circuit.
Following the second Indy Lights race of the weekend, the 30th IndyCar race in Detroit’s history will take the green flag on Sunday, June 5. The IndyCar race will be televised live on USA, part of the NBC family of networks.
The 2022 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear is expected to feature activities and entertainment for fans of all ages to enjoy throughout the weekend on Belle Isle. Interactive displays, music, merchandise, and food and beverage options are planned, including the Midway, the Meijer Fan Zone, and adjacent to the Autotrader Winner’s Circle, located at the historic Scott Fountain.
“We are excited to once again start the summer season in Detroit with an amazing weekend on Belle Isle at the 2022 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear,” says Michael Montri, president of the Grand Prix. “Riding the momentum from the world’s largest single-day sporting event at the Indianapolis 500 a few days earlier, the Grand Prix weekend will provide plenty of excitement on and off the track as we are proud to bring this world-class event back to Detroit and continue to provide positive national and international exposure for our entire region.”
New App for People with Disabilities Hits Detroit
Detroit-based Lazarillo is working with Newlab and Ford Motor Co.’s Michigan Central in the Accessible Streets Studio to increase accessibility for people with disabilities in the city of Detroit.
The aim of the group is to work with businesses, public transportation networks, and city officials to provide accessible navigation to as many people as possible.
“At Lazarillo, our goal is to give people with disabilities greater access to their city by providing the innovative and accessible navigation and geolocation technologies in our app at no cost to consumers, as well as helping businesses to understand why investing in accessibility is beneficial for both businesses and consumers alike,” says René Espinoza, CEO of Lazarillo.
“Thanks to our partnership with the Accessible Streets Studio, a collaboration between Ford’s Michigan Central and Newlab, Lazarillo will be able to create accessible maps and profiles for businesses and organizations in the Corktown area of Detroit at no cost to them, making it easier for people with disabilities to reach their destination safely and efficiently.”
Another focus for Lazarillo, according to Esspinoza, is partnering with businesses and organizations to provide educational materials on the needs of people with disabilities, helping businesses to better understand how to improve the accessibility of their web pages and facilities so that they can reach the standard of accessibility that people with disabilities need to confidently and safely utilize their services.
For more information, visit here.
EMU Faculty and Students to Highlight Cybersecurity at Motor Bella
Faculty experts and students from Eastern Michigan University’s GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology in Ypsilanti will demonstrate the relationship between cybersecurity and connected vehicles Sept. 21-22 during Motor Bella at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac.
The exhibits will demonstrate how to use tools to inspect and analyze data that goes inside a vehicle, address communication mechanisms, showcase a vehicle simulation platform that mimics parts of a modern vehicle, demonstrate Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) scenarios, autonomous decision-making; all while focusing on the cybersecurity of these vehicles.
“The GameAbove College of Engineering prepares students for rewarding careers in various fields of engineering and technology,” says Mohamad Qatu, dean of the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology. “Being exposed to the latest in cybersecurity research and autonomous vehicles help set our students apart, which often lands them in high demand fields with a starting salary at around $70K.”
EMU officials say they hope that as modern connected vehicles mature and autonomous vehicles are officially launched, these research endeavors will help ensure the security of such vehicles and the safety of their passengers.
For more information on the cybersecurity program at EMU, visit here.
