Industry News: Detroit Auto Show May Move to October

[William Maley]

A big complaint you'll hear from journalists covering the Detroit Auto Show is the month that it is held. January is a miserable time in the north with cold temperatures and endless amounts of snow. But there could be some relief coming.

The Wall Street Journal has learned from various sources that organizers of the show are considering moving the show from January to October. Crain's Detroit Business adds that show officials have been floating this idea for more than a year with automakers, city officials, and Cobo Center. Both say the show's leadership team has yet to make the final decision and could happen as early as 2020.

A spokesman for the Detroit Auto Show comfirmed to the Wall Street Journal that a change is being considered, saying organizers are “exploring opportunities to better leverage the how and the region.” 

“I would love to see it in October,” said Wes Lutz, Owner of Extreme Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram Trucks in Jackson, MI.

“I think we’d get even better attendance.”

Moving the show to October would not only provide better weather, but also give some breathing room between it and the Consumer Electronics Show, which occurs the week before Detroit. CES has become a prime place for automakers to showcase new technologies and make vehicle debuts - Chevrolet Bolt comes to mind. It also might stem the loss of automakers from the show. Auto companies such as Mazda, Volvo, Porsche, Jaguar, and Land Rover were no-shows at this year's show. Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will be skipping the 2019 show. 

But there are some issues with this move. Crain notes that show officials signed a new $11.8 million contract with Cobo Center back in July to keep the show there and in January. Moving it to October will likely require a new contract. It would also require shorter setup schedule for the show. Currently, work begins in October as workers build up the various exhibits that make up the show.

Source: Wall Street Journal  (Subscription Required), Crain's Detroit Business

View full article

[David]

Should not wait till 2020 but do it now, they are bleeding and loosing OEM interest. At this rate by 2020 it might be the Detroit labels only that are there.

[smk4565]

I think it makes sense to move it.  Years ago, like in the 60s or 70s when auto makers showed the new models in this show, and then production units always hit dealers in the fall, it kind of made sense.  But now new vehicles hit dealers at all times of the year.  And buyers don't have to go to the big Auto shows in winter/spring to figure out what they will buy in summer/fall.  They can see it all on the internet and do all the research.

[riviera74]

#1 reason to move the auto show to October: brutal Detroit winters.  What are they waiting for?