2019 Detroit Auto Show – Your Last Chance to Slip on the Ice

The granddaddy of American auto shows, the North American International Auto Show, more commonly known as the Detroit Auto Show, holds its last winter event in January 2019. After years of debating, the Detroit Auto Dealers Association who put on the show, have agreed that Detroit does not really qualify as a Winter Wonderland and is moving the 2020 show to June.

Several factors influenced the decision, but the overriding reason for the change in calendar is simply to drive more people to the show. More people means more revenue for the event, and just as importantly for the folks in Detroit, more out of area dollars being spent on the local economy. Warm weather also allows for outdoor displays and on road demonstrations, features that are common in other automotive events.

And then there’s the growing trend of prestigious European brands like Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz taking a pass on the winter show. While the official line is they are reevaluating their participation in all shows, the fact that the January show typically means paying overtime for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s for setup crews and an extended setup time thanks to a holiday event schedule at the venue.

So 2019 is the last cold hurrah for Detroit…but it will still be a hot, hot, show!

Before We Get to the Good Stuff

The big draw is of course, the public show where over 700 brand spanking new cars, trucks, and concept vehicles are on display. But a big part of the show is about mobility in general and its AutoMobili – D program specifically. Over 40,000 industry experts will arrive and network discussing the automotive future, attending industry seminars, and perusing the displays of over 2,000 auto technology vendors and services. Everything from alternative fuels to city planning to autonomous vehicles are discussed making this event a must-go for professionals in the industry.

There’s a Charity Ball that makes the society pages of the local paper and generates millions for local charities. Attendees can sip wine, get down with some rock and roll, all while mixing around $10 million worth of automobiles like Aston Martin, Bentley, and Rolls.

The Good Stuff

GM and Ford have both announced that they are paring back on cars and going all in on crossovers, SUVs, and of course pickup trucks. Interestingly, of the five models making their debut in Detroit, only one can qualify as a crossover. The other four are cars…mostly very fast cars.

That’s the lineup for newbies at Detroit for this year’s show. Of course, all the regular refreshes will be on display and you’ll have plenty of automotive eye candy to keep you occupied. Next year you won’t have to lug that heavy winter coat around.