The North American International Auto Show, more popularly known as the Detroit Auto Show, is expected to return to its traditional January timeframe after two years of show dates in September. The last time the Detroit Auto Show was held in January was in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although automaker participation in major auto shows is in decline, the Detroit Auto Show remains a major attraction.
According to a report from The Detroit News, which cites two anonymous sources familiar with the matter, show organizers are likely to move the event dates back to January, although an official announcement has yet to be made. For the last several years, the Detroit Auto Show was held during September. However, it’s reported that the back-to-school rush of September competed for attention, while the traditional January dates would help to stir up sales during the typically quiet winter months.
Event organizers originally planned to hold the show in June for the 2020 calendar year, which was expected to provide warmer weather and more opportunities for outdoors events. However, organizers canceled the 2020 show in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers staged an outdoor event called Motor Bella at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac in 2021. The Detroit Auto Show returned in late September of the 2022 calendar year.
With the increasing popularity of internet-based research and digital auto shopping among customers, in-person events like auto shows are falling out of favor among automakers. Earlier this month, Stellantis announced that it would end its corporate presence at North American auto shows, with the automaker citing the “challenging automotive market in North America” and a desire to “optimize its marketing strategy as it relates to auto shows.” Moving forward, the decision to participate in a given show will be in the hands of Stellantis dealers.
Nevertheless, the Detroit Auto Show remains a popular event, with organizers estimating that attendance in 2022 beat projections of 300,000 to 500,000 people.
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Comments
Oh man!! Don’t change it back to January!! Nobody likes walking in 20 degree weather.
Maybe upper midwest living is not for you.
Most people do not lock the door till spring rolls around and hibernate like a bear.
Soldier field has a weekend of outdoor hockey games at the same time as the Chicago show.
They only changed it to avoid freezing temps for attendees, but, hey, little sympathy. It never should have moved in the first place. If attendees are so worried about the cold, replace this show with one in Georgia or Florida! The Southeast is becoming the new Michigan anyway.
Is this the beginning of the writing on the wall, is it just a matter of time before auto shows become a thing of the past? As noted previously I’ve gone to the Chicago show for over 3 decades every year, this year I will probably take a pass. Sad – again it feels like an end of an era.
And yes to Jan in Detroit – brrrr!!!!!!
I went over 25 years in a row (driving from Cleveland in the snow) to the January shows and always enjoyed the winter event. In the late 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s it was in the glory days with huge shows and new car introductions. But LA, having a December show with warm temps, stole the news media and several new car introductions the last 10 years.
Nonetheless, I would still drive up to Detroit to see a show in 2023.
Do hockey fans complain about the cold weather ? Too cold ,,,stay home. Big mistake changing the show dates. Attendance records will support that statement. The auto industry has changed dramatically. There was a time when manufacturers would introduce a new model at the auto show , now the 10 + year old body style gets REFRESHED .When a new model is introduced , more than likely it will be in China. Changing times. Cant imagine what GEN Z will bring .
Never missed a show when it was in January, gave me something to do. Didn’t make a single one in September, just too busy of a time. Will be nice to have it in January again.