This shift brings the show back to its traditional time slot, marking a significant change since the last two events were held in September. According to a statement obtained by The Detroit News, Rod Alberts, the executive director of the Detroit Auto Show, said, "After discussions with numerous partners, we firmly believe that a January date makes the most sense."
Alberts added, "In a constantly changing global automotive landscape, this update reflects our efforts to continue to reimagine the Detroit Auto Show with keeping an eye on what matters most – getting people excited about cars" The Charity Preview is scheduled for January 10, with the main show running from January 11 to 20. Additionally, a media day is anticipated earlier in the same month.
The Detroit Auto Show has faced challenges since its return after the coronavirus pandemic. The 2022 show was particularly lackluster as several automakers opted not to participate, resulting in a sparsely populated show floor with few new debuts.
In 2023, there was a notable improvement as dealers stepped in to fill the void left by automakers who chose to abstain. Several noteworthy debuts took place, including the Ford F-150, GMC Acadia, as well as the refreshed Cadillac CT5 and Jeep Gladiator.
The future remains uncertain, but organizers now find the Detroit Auto Show squeezed between a rock and a hard place. In addition to competing with the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2024 and the Chicago Auto Show in February 2025, the Detroit Auto Show will directly overlap with CES 2025, which runs from January 7 to 10.
Source: The Detroit News
