North American International Auto Show Opens
DETROIT – RIS - It’s the big one. Detroit’s North American International Auto Show (NAIA) is back at Cobo Hall. The Big Kahuna of auto shows kicked off its media preview days on June 14th and 15th. The public show runs through the 27th.
More than 50 worldwide and North American unveilings demonstrated confidence in the NAIAS, which is frequently compared with shows in Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris, Tokyo, and Beijing/Shanghai.
"This show is a reflection of the positive changes that are occurring in our industry," said Jim Seavitt, chairman, 2013 NAIAS. "Automakers from around the world continue to place NAIAS at the top of their global auto show strategies, and have committed to more than 50 vehicle debuts with the majority being worldwide unveilings."
Most NAIAS press conferences took place at Detroit's Cobo Center, which is currently in the second of a three-phase expansion plan. Some events occurred in the new three-story glass atrium facing the Detroit River. The lone offsite press conference was presented by Ford Motor Company at neighboring Joe Louis Arena. Ford literally dropped a clue to its new Ford F150 pickup truck when it lowered the Ford Atlas concept from the arena’s ceiling to a live band and dazzling fireworks.
More than 6,000 journalists from around the globe attend NAIAS as it continues to be at the forefront as a venue for manufacturers and Tier One suppliers to announce new vehicles and make industry news.
Highlights:
Chevrolet took the wraps off the seventh generation of its all American sports car. The 2014 Chevrolet C7Corvette is the first “Vette” named Stingray since the 1970s.
GM’s 2013 Cadillac ATS was named North American car of the year. While the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup was named North American Truck/Utility of the year.
Another Chrysler product on display was an evil looking SRT Viper.
Noteworthy:
BMW Mini John Cooper Works
Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheel Edition
Ford Shelby Focus ST, a 4 cylinder Turbo package that alone costs $14,995 plus the cost of the vehicle!
Foreign makes dominated new car introductions at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show:
The list of world and new car introductions was long:
Noteworthy:
Bentley Continental GT3
Hyundai Veloster C3
Jaguar XFR-S
Porsche Cayman
Fiat 500L Trekking
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series
The auto show circuit continues at the massive McCormick Place in Chicago. Press days for the Chicago Auto Show are February 7 and 8. The public show runs February 9 through 18.
Dave Chess
Dave Chess has been writing for RIS since the late 1980s during the CompuServe days. His work has also appeared in Auto Week magazine, Chicago Gearhead News newspaper, ATA airlines in-flight magazine, National Speed Sport News and on many websites.