Industry News: Its Official! Detroit Auto Show Moving To June in 2020

[William Maley]

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After months of speculation and rumor, it is now official: The Detroit Auto Show will be moving from January to June in 2020.

“Our show is undergoing its most significant transformation in the last three decades. Detroit will continue to be a global stage for some of the world’s most significant and iconic vehicle reveals and host an unparalleled international audience of media and key industry influencers,” said Rod Alberts, Executive Director of the Detroit Auto Show.

The Detroit Auto Show has been taking a bit of beating over the past few years with various automakers pulling out to hold their own events or focus on other shows, along with the Consumer Electronics Show taking more of the spotlight. 

Plans for the revamped show include rides and drives of new vehicles, having self-driving vehicles on public roads, experience dynamic vehicle debuts, and more. 

"As we look to break out of the traditional auto show model, there is not a need to follow the normal show season. The new direction and focus of the show will disrupt the normal cadence of traditional shows and create a new event unparalleled in the industry," said Doug North, president of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association.

Organizers point out the new date will drastically reduce the costs of participating in the show. Already, various automakers such as General Motors and Hyundai have praised the move. Whether it works or not remains to be seen.

Source: North American International Auto Show

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Transformational Move Announced for the North American International Auto Show

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) announced that starting in 2020 the show would make a transformational move to June and will start the week of June 8th. The ability for participating brands to deliver dynamic exhibits and experiential opportunities outside of the show’s four walls for attending journalists, industry members and consumers, will provide new avenues to showcase the products and technologies on display. Delivering greater ROI through reduced costs and dynamic opportunities will be a key aspect of the future show.

“Our show is undergoing its most significant transformation in the last three decades,” said Rod Alberts, Executive Director, NAIAS. “Detroit will continue to be a global stage for some of the world’s most significant and iconic vehicle reveals and host an unparalleled international audience of media and key industry influencers.”

NAIAS is one of the most influential global auto events, touching all facets of the industry and attracting the largest concentration of the world’s top industry leaders – from automakers and suppliers, to tech startups and venture capitalists, to universities and policymakers.

“The North American International Auto Show is an amazing exhibition that showcases the most innovative and creative automotive companies around the world,” said Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. “Moving the show to the summer opens up new opportunities for companies as well as creating new experiences for attendees.”

The show is run by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association and its Executive Board. As part of the DADA and Board’s due diligence in exploring new opportunities for the show, hundreds of meetings and conversations with key stakeholders – automakers, suppliers and sponsors, as well as industry and government leaders – were had around the world.

“Our ultimate goal is to provide an experience and opportunity for participating companies and attendees, that only Detroit can offer,” said Doug North, DADA President. “June will allow us to better showcase the automotive leadership, development and heritage our great city and region holds.”

Embracing the Industry’s Change
Auto show dynamics are changing globally as the auto industry undergoes its biggest shift in more than a century. With this, automakers are seeking out increasingly creative ways to debut vehicles and engage with consumers. Plans have been underway for over a year as NAIAS stands ready to embrace this evolution with its move to June and provide a fresh international platform for hundreds of brands to highlight their innovations.

“As we look to break out of the traditional auto show model, there is not a need to follow the normal show season,” added North. “The new direction and focus of the show will disrupt the normal cadence of traditional shows and create a new event unparalleled in the industry.”

Endless Opportunities for Brand Activations
The reimagined show will undergo an evolution that will take the show from inside Cobo Center to a canvas of unlimited brand activation and engagement opportunities – a canvas only limited by exhibitor creativity and imagination. While the successful foundation of the show inside Cobo Center will continue with vehicles and innovative mobility technologies being showcased, transformation plans call for growth in both branding and event opportunities at multiple venues throughout Detroit, and perhaps, beyond.

“Detroit now has the opportunity to showcase our riverfront and our revitalized downtown during our beautiful summer months and creatively use the exterior of Cobo to launch new products that will transform Detroit into an exciting auto-centric environment,” said Larry Alexander, president and CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Hosting the show in June sets the stage for exhibitors to conduct dynamic outdoor experiential brand activations, immersing and engaging the media and consumers in memorable product experiences. A sampling of outdoor experiential activities might include:

• Dynamic Vehicle Debuts
• Ride and Drives
• Autonomous/Automated Driving
• Off-Road Challenges

It’s envisioned that activation sites will be located throughout downtown Detroit, including at some of the city’s jewels such as Hart Plaza, Detroit RiverWalk, Campus Martius, Woodward Avenue and Grand Circus Park. Activation spots might even extend beyond the downtown area to historic automotive locations or state parks such as Belle Isle.

“The potential to create a month long automotive festival in Detroit starting with the Detroit Grand Prix, going through our show and concluding with the nationally-celebrated fireworks on the river, will provide an unmatched festival-like experience for all attendees,” added Alberts.

Cost Benefits for Exhibitors
The move to June will translate into substantial cost savings for exhibitors. By eliminating November, December and January holidays from the move-in equation, exhibitors will see reduced overtime labor costs for builds. Additionally, the show will have a shorter move-in schedule of three weeks, significantly reduced from the current 8 weeks on average it takes for move-in. With a reduced build time, exhibit builds will be simplified and less custom-built for Detroit, providing numerous cost savings as well.

A Vibrant Downtown
With ideal summer weather, a Cobo Center filled with new products and technologies, and engaging events positioned throughout the city, auto show attendees will be able to enjoy all that Detroit has to offer, will celebrating the Motor City’s love of the automobile.

Cross-marketing events around the city will help drive excitement, energy and attendees to downtown.

This past January, NAIAS attracted well over three-quarters of a million people to the city and generated an economic impact of $480M (according to David Sowerby, CFA, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, Ancora) to the regional economy.

“June provides us with exciting new opportunities that January just didn’t afford,” added Alberts. “We strongly believe we can continue to deliver a significant economic impact for our great city, and offer an event unlike anything anyone has ever experienced.”

Comments from Automakers

• “Reinventing NAIAS as a summertime festival of design, speed and innovation is incredibly exciting. It will showcase the best of our industry and the best of Detroit, and should become a can’t miss event on the calendar for global automakers and media,” said Mark Truby, Vice President, Communications, Ford Motor Company.
• “The North American International Auto Show has provided GAC Motor with a tremendous platform – connecting us with key media and industry executives,” said Yu Jun, GAC Motor President. “As we look to enter the U.S. and increase our market share, Detroit will continue to serve as a critical part of our global marketing strategy and we look forward to the new exciting opportunities June will offer.”
• “We applaud the DADA for thinking big and really taking advantage of this opportunity to re-imagine the auto show and position Detroit in the best light. We’re excited to be a part of a festival-like series of events that showcase all the great things that are happening in both the auto industry and Detroit,” said Tony Cervone, Senior Vice President, Global Communications, General Motors Company
• “Hyundai is always excited to participate in the North American International Auto Show and display its products to the Motor City. We already are planning an exciting reveal in 2019. It certainly will be a new experience leaving the ski hats and Chap-Stick at home and packing our Tigers baseball caps and sunscreen. We look forward to the evolution of the show,” said Jim Trainor, Director, Hyundai Motor America.
• “Toyota is excited to see the North American International Auto Show move to June in 2020,” said Scott Vazin, Group Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, Toyota Motor North America. “With a new summer timeframe, industry leaders and international media will see Detroit in a new light, paving the way for exciting outdoor activities and more opportunities to explore this vibrant city.”

Preparations Underway for Coming Year
The January 2019 NAIAS looks to build off the significant buzz generated this past show where media metrics reports from PRIME Research indicate NAIAS remains the global leader among domestic
shows in terms of influence as it garners the largest reach, number of articles and share of voice.

“Coming off recent trips in Europe, Asia, and around the U.S., automakers, suppliers and tech companies have hinted at some important product news that is earmarked for Detroit this upcoming year,” said Bill Golling, 2019 NAIAS Chairman. “We look forward to providing a world-class platform for the over 200 brands that showcase their innovations at our show.”

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[riviera74]

Having the NAIAS in June means NO MORE ANGRY WINTERS to deal with.  That should dramatically increase participation in NAIAS from all comers.  But I have to ask: from a weather standpoint, is June as awful as January?

[G. David Felt]

Makes me think 2019 auto show could be small attendance before drawing in huge crowds.

[William Maley]

48 minutes ago, riviera74 said:

Having the NAIAS in June means NO MORE ANGRY WINTERS to deal with.  That should dramatically increase participation in NAIAS from all comers.  But I have to ask: from a weather standpoint, is June as awful as January?

It varies. This past June was surprisingly comfortable in terms of temperature - aside from those few days where it was 90+ degrees and humidity was way up.

[Drew Dowdell]

I've been looking forward to this. I think it will make the event double in side eventually. There could be a lot going on with classic cars too. I personally have been wanting to bring my Toronado to Detroit, but the weather always has a high chance of being terrible that I have yet to do it. 

[smk4565]

This is a good move by them, 100 times better to do it in summer rather than winter.  Because Auto shows now are more about an entertainment event, and they can do outdoor car cruises, food trucks, bouncy castles or whatever.

You don't need the auto show to show off new cars like you did 30 years ago, because they are all on the Internet before the show ever happens.

[balthazar]

It's not the internet. It's the vehicles.

More players now in the market than since the 1930s. EVERYONE has sedans, CUVs, SUVs, full power features, AWD, hybrid/electric, alloy wheels, leather seats, screens, 2.0Lt, 3.0Lt, etc etc etc. There hasn't been a new creature comfort in what feels like decades. A hyundai was a junky, plasticy wheezing generic when a mercedes was a big, brash, powerful loaded car. Now you almost have to read the nameplates to tell them apart. What's to go see? That's exactly why bouncy castles and food trucks are such a crucial element.

[Drew Dowdell]

19 hours ago, balthazar said:

It's not the internet. It's the vehicles.

More players now in the market than since the 1930s. EVERYONE has sedans, CUVs, SUVs, full power features, AWD, hybrid/electric, alloy wheels, leather seats, screens, 2.0Lt, 3.0Lt, etc etc etc. There hasn't been a new creature comfort in what feels like decades. A hyundai was a junky, plasticy wheezing generic when a mercedes was a big, brash, powerful loaded car. Now you almost have to read the nameplates to tell them apart. What's to go see? That's exactly why bouncy castles and food trucks are such a crucial element.

it's funny but it's true