Is the Auto Show Getting Stale?

**401don** · January-16-16, 10:44 AM

This is not the 1st article I've seen stating that the Detroit show may be losing its relevancy. There are fewer reveals as the companies spread them out and, worse yet, post them on the internet just prior to the show. Also, tech advances are revealed the week before in Vegas. Does Detroit need to give journalists a reason to attend? After all, this isn't supposed to be just another consumer show.

http://www.thestar.com/autos/2016/01...direction.html

**313WX** · January-16-16, 10:47 AM

Part of the reason too is simply because it's Detroit and Michigan. In the past, the Detroit auto show would be such a big deal because the Big 3 [[or Big 4 if you consider the AMC years) controlled most of the market share and were very loyal to the local area. That's not the case any longer.

Let's be honest. Most people don't dream of coming here for a pleasure trip. The companies that skipped the NAIAS certainly didn't consider passing up NY, LA or Chicago, did they? This is especially in an era with record auto sales at that.

Granted, I know there's nothing the NAIAS committee can do about the aforementioned short of leaving the state altogether.

**detroitbob** · January-16-16, 02:26 PM

Didn't seem to be any shortage of journalists covering the preview week...another post/thread where the fire engine is out looking for a fire.

**iheartthed** · January-16-16, 03:19 PM

They've been saying this for at least a decade. I think auto shows in general have gotten stale.

**401don** · January-16-16, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by detroitbob

Didn't seem to be any shortage of journalists covering the preview week...another post/thread where the fire engine is out looking for a fire.

http://news.google.com/news/url?sr=1...han-detroit%2F

I can keep posting similar articles but I just think it would be wise for Detroit to address its problems before it becomes a trend that causes declining press attendance. Find a way to encourage the automakers to make more new product launches and tech announcements here. Maybe more demonstrations at the show as is done in Vegas. After all it's not just the automakers, don't Gilbert and others want Detroit to be seen as a tech center?

**bust** · January-16-16, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Part of the reason too is simply because it's Detroit and Michigan. In the past, the Detroit auto show would be such a big deal because the Big 3 [[or Big 4 if you consider the AMC years) controlled most of the market share and were very loyal to the local area. That's not the case any longer.

Let's be honest. Most people don't dream of coming here for a pleasure trip. The companies that skipped the NAIAS certainly didn't consider passing up NY, LA or Chicago, did they? This is especially in an era with record auto sales at that.

Granted, I know there's nothing the NAIAS committee can do about the aforementioned short of leaving the state altogether.

But Detroit has casinos [[too)?!!

**Zacha341** · January-17-16, 10:20 AM

Tesla and Bentley and a couple others opted out this year. Hmmm...

**Honky Tonk** · January-17-16, 10:48 AM

Speaking for myself, my fascination with cars ended a while back. I seriously need to find a replacement for the Hooptie, so I would attend this year's NAIAS. It would give me a chance to see everything relevant to my purchase in one spot, in a couple of hours. Other than that, I don't have a lot of interest in ogling cars I can never afford to own. That has been replaced by a quest for reliability, longevity, and affordability. Besides, all the models are now the age of my friend's grand daughters. I keep wanting to ask them if their mothers know they're parading around in a skirt that short.

**davewindsor** · January-17-16, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Tesla and Bentley and a couple others opted out this year. Hmmm...

Probably 'cuz people in this area don't care for those cars. Do you have any friends in this area that own a Tesla or a Bentley?

They opted out. Fine. Who cares? They chickened out from the Detroit show because they know the Detroit 3 makes better cars and they didn't want to embarrass themselves.

**AarunFast** · January-17-16, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by davewindsor

Probably 'cuz people in this area don't care for those cars. Do you have any friends in this area that own a Tesla or a Bentley?

They opted out. Fine. Who cares? They chickened out from the Detroit show because they know the Detroit 3 makes better cars and they didn't want to embarrass themselves.

Haha oh man. Every time Tesla blinks an eye it gets news coverage. You want to talk about embarrassing; look at all the recalls from the big three this past year. This attitude is exactly why the big 3 is losing marketshare.

**jackie5275** · January-17-16, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Speaking for myself, my fascination with cars ended a while back. I seriously need to find a replacement for the Hooptie, so I would attend this year's NAIAS. It would give me a chance to see everything relevant to my purchase in one spot, in a couple of hours. Other than that, I don't have a lot of interest in ogling cars I can never afford to own. That has been replaced by a quest for reliability, longevity, and affordability. Besides, all the models are now the age of my friend's grand daughters. I keep wanting to ask them if their mothers know they're parading around in a skirt that short.

Second that HT. My old man crashed his car a week ago, they very car I finished paying off just this past November. I anticipate the ins co will total it out, but I don't think that will compel me to go to the auto show. Your statement of ogling cars you can never afford really hits home. In my youth, I used to go and dream of owning fancy, sporty, and luxury cars. Reality is, the way fancy ones are financially out of my reach. The ones that are in my reach, well, let's just say I really didn't think that I would be liberated only a month before I have to be saddled with car payments again.

**ABetterDetroit** · January-17-16, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Let's be honest. Most people don't dream of coming here for a pleasure trip.

This couldn't be anymore incorrect based on my personal experience. I attend many events in the downtown area including all the pro sports venues, lots of concerts, Movement, festivals and of course the auto show.

I always talk to the people around me and there are more visitors than ever.
Sporting events have way more folks that have come from a distance to cheer their team, see the venue or even to see an individual player. Just this summer, I sat next to two guys at a Tiger game, one from Denver another from S.F. that where here for a full series but mostly to see Verlander pitch in Comerica. Concerts are loaded with out of towners. I know. I talk to them and ride the elevators in the hotels. When we attend anything that ends late, we will stay downtown. The biggest surprises are the Autoshow, Movement and the Jazz Festival. All of these events have a ton of out of town people in attendance. I see them and talk to them. They are not hard to spot and it's easy to introduce oneself say hi and welcome to Detroit.

What is missed and not understood by some on this board is that the higher earners in this country have more disposable income than ever and they don't even think twice to use some of their miles and jump on a plane to do any of the above just to travel and take in the events that interest them. They are intelligent, educated and do their research and are not scared by any old stereotypes. They are smart enough to keep themselves out of dangerous situations just like the rest of us who visit Detroit or other major urban areas in this country.

**davewindsor** · January-17-16, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by AarunFast

Haha oh man. Every time Tesla blinks an eye it gets news coverage. You want to talk about embarrassing; look at all the recalls from the big three this past year. This attitude is exactly why the big 3 is losing marketshare.

At least Ford turns a good profit even with its recalls. Talking about market share, Tesla's a joke. I don't think you even know what you are talking about. In 2014, Ford sold 6,320,894 vehicles in America [[their highest sales in a decade and a half). http://www.statisticbrain.com/ford-motors-statistics/ How many did Tesla sell? 21,000? That's a fraction of a percent of Ford's total output. You want a car maker to laugh at. They didn't even turn a profit. Tesla didn't go bankrupt because it earned $68 million from selling Zero-Emission Vehicle credits [[which it earns under California state laws governing vehicle emissions) to other automakers and a further $17 million from selling Greenhouse Gas emission credits. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...-lets-be-clear

Every large car manufacturer of significance has recalls--foreign or domestic--whether it's Toyota, Ford, GM, VW, etc. The VW emissions recall was the only one I'd consider embarrassing to their shareholders, as their shareholders are gonna lose a fortune.

Tesla is truly an embarrassment and that's why they are so chicken to show up at the Detroit 3's home field. Tesla is another joke car manufacturer like the DeLoreon Motor Company.

**401don** · January-17-16, 06:00 PM

Everyone is responding to this thread from a consumer standpoint. My concern is that Detroit continues to draw thousands of journalists and their revenue to the city. The grumbling that the show isn't what it was may lead a lot of their bosses, especially in the print media which is drastically cutting costs, to decide it may not be worth it.

**Honky Tonk** · January-17-16, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

Everyone is responding to this thread from a consumer standpoint. My concern is that Detroit continues to draw thousands of journalists and their revenue to the city. The grumbling that the show isn't what it was may lead a lot of their bosses, especially in the print media which is drastically cutting costs, to decide it may not be worth it.

Good point. Alright everyone, quiet down.

**AarunFast** · January-17-16, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by davewindsor

At least Ford turns a good profit even with its recalls. Talking about market share, Tesla's a joke. I don't think you even know what you are talking about. In 2014, Ford sold 6,320,894 vehicles in America [[their highest sales in a decade and a half). http://www.statisticbrain.com/ford-motors-statistics/ How many did Tesla sell? 21,000? That's a fraction of a percent of Ford's total output. You want a car maker to laugh at. They didn't even turn a profit. Tesla didn't go bankrupt because it earned $68 million from selling Zero-Emission Vehicle credits [[which it earns under California state laws governing vehicle emissions) to other automakers and a further $17 million from selling Greenhouse Gas emission credits. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...-lets-be-clear

Every large car manufacturer of significance has recalls--foreign or domestic--whether it's Toyota, Ford, GM, VW, etc. The VW emissions recall was the only one I'd consider embarrassing to their shareholders, as their shareholders are gonna lose a fortune.

Tesla is truly an embarrassment and that's why they are so chicken to show up at the Detroit 3's home field. Tesla is another joke car manufacturer like the DeLoreon Motor Company.

Tesla isn't coming here because the auto dealers union won't let them sell directly in Michigan. They have the entire Michigan government by the shoestrings, holding us back from real innovation. And Tesla's business plan is not to outsell Ford this year, so I don't know why you are throwing around those numbers. It is a measured strategy, built to gradually move towards a more affordable option. It takes time to build a automotive brand.

**G-DDT** · January-17-16, 08:27 PM

Stale?! Nah.

They just need to hot-glue some more scantly clad glittery models reclining on the hoods of the newer models. Jam up an SUV full with burning hoverboards and let folks take a shot at beating the clock at guessing just how many are filled up to the roof. Maybe throw in a few Pac-man games [[yeah, the kids like that Pac-man stuff). Yeah, that's the ticket.....

**detroitbob** · January-17-16, 10:25 PM

Interesting that some of the "retired" journalists at the News and Freep were contracted by their former employers to cover and edit the show.

**Zacha341** · January-18-16, 02:36 AM

And why Toyota continues to occupy left back wall corner dominance at the show. Even withstanding their recall issues.

Originally Posted by AarunFast

Haha oh man. Every time Tesla blinks an eye it gets news coverage. You want to talk about embarrassing; look at all the recalls from the big three this past year. This attitude is exactly why the big 3 is losing marketshare.

**Zacha341** · January-18-16, 02:40 AM

I did not say I cared per se. Hah. Just taking note. Yeah probably more Bentleys being sported in Altanta and LA! My interest in the NAIAS mainly stems from the fact that College for Creative Studies [[my alma mater) has an exhibit every year showcasing their best transportation students prototypes and I've done some volunteer work to that end. Toyota and Ford have the largest displays of cars an always have.

Originally Posted by davewindsor

Probably 'cuz people in this area don't care for those cars. Do you have any friends in this area that own a Tesla or a Bentley?

They opted out. Fine. Who cares? They chickened out from the Detroit show because they know the Detroit 3 makes better cars and they didn't want to embarrass themselves.

**Zacha341** · January-18-16, 02:50 AM

I have a 'hooptie' too one can argue. I cannot afford car notes, so I drive older car. I like to check the fit and finish of various cars at the NAIAS. It is amazing how many cars are cheaply made yet sporting high prices! I'd like a small SUV if possible and sorta fell in love with one from testing it [[a GM offering) for comfort last year. Easy to get in and out, from my trying a few on last NAIAS. I alway like to sit in the little Fiats, Mini Coopers and other specialty little cars. Those things are loaded, but not practical to crawl in and out of at this stage!

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Speaking for myself, my fascination with cars ended a while back. I seriously need to find a replacement for the Hooptie, so I would attend this year's NAIAS. It would give me a chance to see everything relevant to my purchase in one spot, in a couple of hours. Other than that, I don't have a lot of interest in ogling cars I can never afford to own. That has been replaced by a quest for reliability, longevity, and affordability. Besides, all the models are now the age of my friend's grand daughters. I keep wanting to ask them if their mothers know they're parading around in a skirt that short.

**Honky Tonk** · January-18-16, 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

I have a 'hooptie' too one can argue. I cannot afford car notes, so I drive older car. I like to check the fit and finish of various cars at the NAIAS. It is amazing how many cars are cheaply made yet sporting high prices! I'd like a small SUV if possible and sorta fell in love with one from testing it [[a GM offering) for comfort last year. Easy to get in and out, from my trying a few on last NAIAS. I alway like to sit in the little Fiats, Mini Coopers and other specialty little cars. Those things are loaded, but not practical to crawl in and out of at this stage!

I have ample opportunity to try out Suburban Assault Vehicles. Some are good, but I find most don't live up to the hype. Most don't have the room and comfort, and are a royal PITA for entry, exit, transporting cargo, drivability, not to mention parking them. I still prefer a car. I'd love to own one of the larger Mini Coopers, but they're unreliable and hard to service, [[a friend owns an Si) I do like the Ford C-Max as far as size & comfort. I'm still trying things on for size, and, whatever I end up with, will probably be a year or two old.

**Zacha341** · January-18-16, 07:36 AM

^^^ Hah! I mean a really small SUV like was the Ford Escape or Toyota Rav! Yeah buying a year or two old is the edge for savings!

**Bham1982** · January-18-16, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by davewindsor

Probably 'cuz people in this area don't care for those cars. Do you have any friends in this area that own a Tesla or a Bentley?

They opted out. Fine. Who cares? They chickened out from the Detroit show because they know the Detroit 3 makes better cars and they didn't want to embarrass themselves.

Yes, that was obviously the reason. They "chickened out" in Detroit, but not in NYC, LA, Zurich, Frankfurt, Paris, or Tokyo.

Because the Detroit 3 obviously only markets/sells cars in Metro Detroit, and only displays cars in the Detroit show...

**MSUguy** · January-18-16, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Part of the reason too is simply because it's Detroit and Michigan. In the past, the Detroit auto show would be such a big deal because the Big 3 [[or Big 4 if you consider the AMC years) controlled most of the market share and were very loyal to the local area. That's not the case any longer.

Let's be honest. Most people don't dream of coming here for a pleasure trip. The companies that skipped the NAIAS certainly didn't consider passing up NY, LA or Chicago, did they? This is especially in an era with record auto sales at that.

Granted, I know there's nothing the NAIAS committee can do about the aforementioned short of leaving the state altogether.

So what? Those shows are more consumer oriented. Hell, Bentley is skipping all U.S auto shows this year. Those brands aren't going to spend aren't spend millions here, in market where they sell little product, when they have anything to unveil.

The luxury brands skipping the Detroit auto show generally are low-volume brands, and none of them had a major product story that was timed right for a January 2016 reveal, said Stephanie Brinley, a senior analyst with IHS Automotive.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...cles/78240916/