(December 28, 2010) - Last year at Detroit's North American International Auto Show, in the wake of bankruptcies and industry contraction, the press period diminished from its customary 2.5 days to a day and a half. Despite claims that the worst of the crisis is over for the automobile business, the 2011 Detroit show looks to be smaller yet, at least from a new-model perspective.
Journalists will descend upon Detroit's Cobo Hall for one long day (Monday, January 10). But then, on Tuesday, judging by the latest schedule, only a single major automaker will host a news conference or presentation.
Oh, more than half a dozen news conferences are scheduled to take place on Tuesday; but they're to be hosted by such groups as Wikispeed, Li-Ion Motor Corp., and the ZF Group. The focus is on "innovative technological advancements." Their presentations may be useful to selected journalists, but most of the media group will have departed from the area before they take place.
Held in mid-January at Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit, along the Detroit River, the show first gained international recognition in 1989. Before that time, the Detroit show had served mainly as a local event, far less notable than the Chicago and New York auto shows. In the past couple of years, the Los Angeles Auto Show has turned into what some consider the prime event of the year, matching if not eclipsing the new-model offerings presented in the other three major auto-show cities.
In the most active of years past, close to 7,000 journalists have squeezed into Cobo Hall, a venue that can barely contain the auto show and its many activities. Not every attendee with a media badge is a fully active journalist in the automovie field, by any means; but most of the world's top auto-industry reporters turn up. In January 2009, the total of media attendees dipped near 5,500. This year, show promoters expect close to 4,500 media people.
According to the December 22 schedule, 19 actual automakers are planning to hold news conferences. Audi will show its redesigned A6 model, ready to join the larger A8 that appeared recently and the all-new Q7 that's coming in spring of 2011. Chevrolet promises a "significent" unveiling of a production car. Almost certainly, that will be the new Sonic subcompact, which replaces the Aveo. Honda will reveal its redesigned 2012 Civic compact sedan, albeit only in concept form.
Ford plans to bring its C-Max small-scale minivan, which already is sold in Europe and is likely to reach U.S. dealerships in 2011. Kia has prepared a KV7 concept vehicle, to be seen for the first time anywhere. Toyota will bring a new member of the Prius family, making its global debut. Volkswagen plans the global unveiling of its New Midsize Sedan, to be built at the company's new factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Buick will reveal its new Verano compact luxury sedan. BMW plans to show a new l-Series M Coupe, along with the redesigned 6-Series convertible. Mini is bringing a Paceman concept vehicle. Hyundai will have two new vehicles, seen for the first time. Chrysler's Jeep division is expected to reveal the restyled Compass, while Chrysler itself has a new version of the 300 sedan on tap.
Bentley will host the North American debut of its new 2012 GT coupe, and also the world debut of the Continental Flying Spur Series 51. Volvo will exhibit a crashed C30 Electric hatchback, leading into a discussion of EV safety. Also scheduling news conferences in Detroit are Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Two lesser-known electric-car makers will make presentations: BYD (from China) and Tesla.
An auto workers' rally is scheduled for Sunday, January 9, in front of Cobo Hall. The 2011 North American International Auto Show opens to the public on January 15, and runs through Sunday the 23rd. Show information may be found at www.naias.com.
Tirekicking Today will be in Detroit for the entire Press period and beyond, to cover every notable introduction.
Update Coming: Please check again for an updated Preview of the 2011 North American International Auto Show.