Detroit Auto Show ready to kick off second September edition this week
The show opens to the public starting Sept. 16, featuring vehicles from 35 brands.
FILE - Crowds check out vehicles at a past auto show in Detroit.
The North American International Auto Show started Wednesday morning for media and industry days at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit.
The 12-day showcase will include dozens of brands and hundreds of vehicles, including the refreshed Cadillac CT5 luxury sedan.
New for this year will be a winding electric vehicle track where attendees can ride along with professional drivers.
“And then at the back of the track, it’s going to be over 300 foot — a football field long — straight stretch, with a capability of really getting the car moving along,” says Rod Alberts, the Detroit Auto Show executive director. “These electric cars have a lot of power.”
Listen: Detroit Auto Show executive director talks flying cars and what to expect at this year’s event
After taking place in January for decades, organizers moved the show to September in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During last year’s show, companies like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce didn’t have a presence on the convention floor, and some critics said they noticed a significant decrease in attendance.
Vehicle inventories were still low due to the global chip shortage, and getting product was challenging according to Alberts.
“This year, we have been able to access — which is more than any other show I would imagine around in the country, maybe the world — 35 brands, through dealers, the region of the manufacturer or through corporate,” Alberts shares.
One of the perks of having the show in September is that outdoor drives can be done on the Grand Prix track.
“Plus, downtown Detroit is very walkable,” Alberts adds. “With all the restaurants and all the things you can do, having it in September is a great time of year for just experiencing Detroit.”
Detroit Auto Show 2023 Schedule:
Sept. 13-14: Media (9/13 only) and Industry Tech Days
Sept. 15: Charity Preview
Sept. 16-24: Public Show
The public show hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 16-23 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sept. 24. Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for kids.
More from WDET:
- Analyzing the struggles of the Detroit Auto Show
- Electric vehicles, mobility trends shape the future of revamped Detroit Auto Show
- Is it time Detroit stopped being the ‘Motor City’?
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