Ford Replaces Chevy as Top Dream Cruise Sponsor

Ford Motor Co. will be the main sponsor of next month’s Woodward Dream Cruise classic car event in Michigan.

Held along a 10-mile stretch of Woodward Avenue in suburban Detroit, the annual event draws about 1.2 million spectators and 40,000 cars. In addition to the main cruise on Saturday Aug. 19, a host of affiliated events will be held throughout the preceding week.

As part of its unspecified investment, Ford will expand its Mustang Alley showcase of classic pony cars—along with the 2018 model—in Ferndale. The carmaker also will have attractions at four other venues along the route, including displays featuring race cars, performance models, crossover/SUVs and a virtual reality app to help teach safe driving techniques.

The one-year agreement with Ford comes a month after General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet brand decided to end its six-year run as the event’s primary sponsor.

Chevy will continue to have displays in Birmingham and Royal Oak. Earlier in the week, the brand will host the “Silent Cruise” featuring its Volt and Bolt electrified cars, and GM Design will show its historic and new performance cars in Royal Oak. But Chevy will no longer contribute a fleet of Silverado pickup trucks manned with technicians to help fix or otherwise stranded cruisers.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV won’t have a display this year because the shopping center it has previously used is under construction. But FCA’s Dodge unit will host its Roadkill Nights drag race for the third year in a row the weekend before the Dream Cruise.