INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Detroit Auto Show—otherwise known as theNorth American International Auto Show—is moving its annual event out of the cold confines
of January and into the warm embrace of June starting in 2020
The move aims to reverse an exodus of automakers that have opted to showcase their upcoming products at tech-forward shows like CES held in
Las Vegas.
Organizers expect the shift to June, which industry experts, analysts, and weary automotive journalists have recommended for
years, will save money for exhibitors.By eliminating November, December and January holidays from the move-in equation, exhibitors will see
reduced overtime labor costs for builds, organizers said in a statement Sunday.The show will also have a shorter move-in schedule of three
weeks, significantly reduced from the average eight weeks that it takes now.The show is run by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association and its
executive board.
There another benefit to the move: outdoor demos
The annual show current January time slot holds attendees hostage in the a massive Cobo Center
A June show date will allow automakers, and even mobility tech startups, to hold demonstrations and first drives on the streets of Detroit
Autonomous and automated driving demonstrations will surely pop up as well.
Detroit Auto Show Summer 2020 from Lacey Ward on Vimeo.
Detroit
is already in the midst of a revitalization
And an event in June will give organizers and officials a chance to show off the city, including Hart Plaza, Detroit RiverWalk, Campus
Martius, Woodward Avenue and Grand Circus Park.
Expect the Big Three automakers to make a big splash on their home turf
Ford is already on its way
The automaker announced this summerplans to transformat least 1.2 million square feet of space in Corktown—Detroit oldest
neighborhood—into a hub for its electric and autonomous vehicles businesses
The campus won&t be complete until 2022.
