Industry News: No Detroit Auto Show for 2021, Organizers Go A Different Route

[William Maley]

It has not been an easy go for the organizers of the Detroit Auto Show. Last year, they had to cancel the revamped show due to concerns about the growing COVID-19 pandemic. The hope was to launch the indoor-outdoor event that would sprawl various parts of Detroit for 2021. But with COVID-19 still a major issue, organizers this afternoon announced the 2021 version would be canceled.

Automotive News reports that a new, outdoor program called Motor Bella will take its place from September 21st to 26th at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac - about 40 minutes north of Detroit. The new program "will bring next-generation mobility and exciting vehicle debuts to media, show-goers and the automotive enthusiasts," according to a statement released by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) - the organizers of the show. Plans are to have "1.6 million square feet of dynamic vehicle and technology display space," along with the 1.5-mile road course for technology and vehicle demonstrations.

“The pandemic has caused changes in our society and world in ways not previously imagined, and we all should be looking for new and highly creative ways of doing business. This new event captures that creative spirit. It will provide new mobility experiences and increasingly innovative approaches to tapping into the industry and its products," said Rod Alberts, executive director of DADA.

Motor Bella was originally planned to be a festival for European supercars that would take place with the updated Detroit Auto Show. 

"With our new program for 2021, we will take the Motor Bella concept to the next level with multiple brands and mobilities represented, from hometown to international nameplates, autonomous vehicles to high-performance supercars, and everything in between, It will be a mobility-filled event. One that will provide our show partners with a cost-efficient backdrop to share all of their brands, products and technologies in a fun and festival-like atmosphere that's completely outdoors," said event chairman Doug North.

There are some big questions that face organizers. Will they be able to get the revamped Detroit Auto Show launched for 2022, or will Motor Bella take the place? Plus, will COVID-19 be a point where all of us can go this event safely?

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), DADA

New All-Outdoor Motor Bella at M1 Creates Bridge to the Future While North American International Auto Show Pauses for 2021

TROY, Mich. – (January 11, 2021) – The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) today announced it will not hold its 2021 auto show as planned. Instead, show officials revealed a "bridge to the future" with an auto-centric event called Motor Bella.

The new event will bring next-generation mobility and exciting vehicle debuts to media, show-goers and the automotive enthusiasts' world in a never before experienced way while also addressing continued COVID-19 concerns about indoor events.

Motor Bella will be held from Sept. 21-26, 2021, at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Mich. Centrally located in the metro Detroit area, M1 Concourse, often referred to as an "87-acre playground for auto enthusiasts," enables exhibitors to showcase key vehicles and technologies in an outdoor setting.

Plans call for 1.6 million square feet of dynamic vehicle and technology display space including terrain ideal for showcasing off-roading capabilities. M1 Concourse also offers a 1.5-mile hot track on the grounds for technology and vehicle demonstrations.

"The pandemic has caused changes in our society and world in ways not previously imagined, and we all should be looking for new and highly creative ways of doing business," said Executive Director Rod Alberts. "This new event captures that creative spirit. It will provide new mobility experiences and increasingly innovative approaches to tapping into the industry and its products."

Alberts said attendees can expect a multi-sensory experience at the new event. "This all-outdoor venue, with adrenaline-pumping track activities and a full complement of OEM and technology exhibits, is going to offer the sights, sounds and even the smell of all that the new world of mobility has to offer." 

As auto shows around the world are being reimagined and will continue to do so in the wake of the pandemic, NAIAS had been reimagining its position for some time.

"While auto shows remain an important platform to promote new mobility innovations and to help people make major vehicle purchase decisions, the traditional auto show model is changing," Alberts said. "We cannot ignore the major disruptions caused by the pandemic and the impact it has had on budgets. As such, we will be providing an amazing experience to the media, the auto industry and the public in a cost-effective way."

Event Chairman Doug North noted that the M1 Concourse was envisioned as part of the 2021 Motor Bella activities, so it was "a natural progression" to build upon it in light of the growing demand for experiential mobility shows and an increased appetite for outdoor events as a result of the pandemic. Motor Bella was originally conceived as a celebration of Italian and British supercars and classic vehicles and was to have debuted at the June 2020 NAIAS.

"With our new program for 2021, we will take the Motor Bella concept to the next level with multiple brands and mobilities represented, from hometown to international nameplates, autonomous vehicles to high-performance supercars and everything in between," North said. "It will be a mobility-filled event. One that will provide our show partners with a cost-efficient backdrop to share all of their brands, products and technologies in a fun and festival-like atmosphere that's completely outdoors." 

Jordan Zlotoff, CEO of M1 Concourse, said, "We are proud and honored to be hosting this world-class automotive event. Motor Bella will allow journalists, industry executives and the public to interact with vehicles in a fully dynamic and experiential format, well beyond the limitations of static displays. As the largest Private Garage community in the world, we at M1 Concourse share the enthusiasm for creating a unique automotive environment built specifically for car enthusiasts."

North added, "We see this outdoor experience at M1 as a bridge to the future. One that will continue to evolve as we explore new ways of presenting mobility and as we navigate through these unprecedented times. We are very cognizant of the importance and impact our show and our events have on the state and the entire metro Detroit area. This will always be part of our considerations for the future."

Dates for the 2021 Motor Bella are: 

• Press Preview, Tuesday, Sept. 21
• AutoMobili-D, Tuesday, Sept. 21 through a half-day Thursday, Sept. 23
• Industry Preview, Wednesday, Sept. 22 and a half-day Thursday, Sept. 23
• Public Show, Thursday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 26

View full article

[G. David Felt]

Based on how deadly this virus is, the long term 6months on average symptoms stick around with all kinds of crazy side affects, I will PASS, HARD PASS on auto shows for this year.

Sad, but reality. Plus I think with most tradeshows being virtual and the amazing success they were last year that it is going to be interesting to see how if ever they come back.

I hope so as I really want to get back to an auto show and test drives.

[loki]

87 acre.... 87 octane,  obvious ploy. lol

[smk4565]

I don't think any live Auto show happens in 2021.  Who would go even if they had one?  It would lose money.

Just like how every movie studio keeps delaying their movies, even if a theater is open no one will go and blockbuster movies that would do $100 million in a weekend pre-Covid open with like $8 million and the studio loses money.

[daves87rs]

News flash....the Detroit Auto show is dead. I know multiple people/sources that mentioned most all major automakers no longer plan to stop in Detroit, period.

Most automakers will simply release new/updated autos through both video and the internet. Trying to save money in any way they can will be important for the next few years, and cancelling shows is an easy choice......

Sad to see the auto show going away.....

[oldshurst442]

Prolonging the agony springs to my mind here.  Even BEFORE Covidness happened, the autoshow was on borrowed time. Not only the Detroit one. ALL of 'em.  Covidness just accelerated the death.  (pun intended)  

I kinda like an autoshow the 'ole fashioned way.  Yet another thing of the past goes away...  Oh well.  

I was kinda hoping for this year's Montreal show as I would have thought Chevy might have had a C8 on the floor to which people would be able to sit inside.  I guess my best chance to sit inside one now is to buy one.  Not a bad idea though.  I'd have to sell that thought to the 'ole battle axe...   So not a chance in hell then.  Oh well...  Life will go on as usual...  

Edited January 17, 2021 by oldshurst442

[balthazar]

I went to one Detroit show in the mid '80s, and one here in NJ probably 15 years ago.
Not really my thing.

[A Horse With No Name]

On 1/16/2021 at 8:11 PM, balthazar said:

I went to one Detroit show in the mid '80s, and one here in NJ probably 15 years ago.
Not really my thing.

If that Delorean from a popular movie really could take you back to the fifties though....

[daves87rs]

On 1/16/2021 at 8:11 PM, balthazar said:

I went to one Detroit show in the mid '80s, and one here in NJ probably 15 years ago.
Not really my thing.

Crowds can be nuts sometimes....