Goodbye, January: The Detroit Auto Show Is Moving to Either June or October
After half a century of being held in January, the Detroit auto show will move to either June or October in 2020.
The new date for the North American International Auto Show will be officially announced on July 24. The group that organizes the show, the Detroit Auto Dealers Organization, has been discussing a date change for months. They’ve also been discussing a name change, but that’s not likely to be announced until later.
The Detroit auto show has struggled of late. More and more automakers have been introducing new products at technology conferences or their own events instead of waiting to unveil them in Detroit.
Making matters worse, multiple luxury brands have opted to skip the Detroit show in recent years, including Volvo, Ferrari, Mercedez-Benz, Porsche, BMW, and, most recently, Audi.
Hit the Highway: Here’s where to take a road trip this summer
Scenes from the setup for a previous year’s Detroit auto show
A move away from January means less competition from the big Las Vegas CES tech show that’s typically scheduled the week before.
Organizers think the show will attract more attendees if it’s held in the summer or fall instead of the frigid Michigan winter. Detroit’s downtown has been booming the past few years, with many attractions, bars, restaurants, and hotels now operating close to the show’s Cobo Center home. The chance to enjoy these downtown amenities in warmer weather could draw a larger crowd.
In warmer weather, organizers and participants could also put on more outdoor events as part of the show.
General Motors has been pushing for the Detroit auto show to be held in June, take over multiple venues downtown, and potentially tie in with the Belle Isle Grand Prix.
Gifts for Drivers: What to buy the car lover in your life
News Source: The Detroit News
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.