NAIAS Takes Stroll Down Electric Avenue

I suggest that the people who run the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit hire musician Eddy Grant to launch next year’s show what with the “Electric Avenue” feature making its debut there in January.

Grant, whose “Electric Avenue” hit charted near the top of the US and UK charts in 1983 would probably get a kick out of opening the show. Or at least give people a reason to show up in Detroit in the middle of a cold winter.

Electric Avenue

The NAIAS describes Electric Avenue as being a 37,000 square foot feature located on the first floor of the Cobo Center. That showcase will shine the spotlight on electric vehicles and technology offered by the traditional automakers and innovative producers.

“Electric Avenue is going to be a unique feature of the 2010 NAIAS that will enable us to educate a diverse audience about the long-term viability of the auto industry using a subject that is top of mind globally these days,” said NAIAS Chairman Doug Fox. “Each year our show strives to provide an innovative approach to providing excitement. As one of the primary stops on the global show circuit we are able to draw key media and help exhibitors tell the short- and long-term strategies to a passionate audience of consumers and industry leaders.”

20 Vehicles

The NAIAS says that they have twenty vehicles which will be featured on Electric Avenue. Adjacent to the main stage, the auto show will offer symposiums and seminars related to vehicle electrification. No word whether that means that automakers will only feature their electric cars on Electric Avenue or whether they’ll reserve space within their own display areas to show off the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi i-MEV and other products.

The NAIAS itself is experiencing a bit of a renaissance thanks to the decision of Detroit area and state politicians to pour money into the decaying Cobo Center. That facility has long been the home of what was originally known as the Detroit Auto Show, but it hasn’t been able to keep up the times.

The monies being directed to the Cobo Center will expand and update the facility, a move which will allow it to continue hosting the NAIAS for years to come. Without the financial injection, the people running the NAIAS were prepared to leave Detroit, perhaps the entire Motown region, and set up their shop elsewhere.

Calling Eddy Grant!

NAIAS Moves Press Days To Mondays & Tuesdays

Arguably the most important automotive show based in the U.S., the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) has been a strong contributor the Detroit economy, a show that will benefit in the coming years as its venue, the Cobo Center is updated and expanded.

Making The Move To Mondays

Oddly, the press days for the show have been held on Sundays and Mondays, which means that reporters must get their news out when most people simply aren’t listening. Many Americans attend church services on Sunday followed by NFL playoff tilts in the afternoon and evening. That sort of competition for the hearts and minds of consumers has resulted in the NAIAS moving the press days to begin on a Monday instead.

To be sure, the first of the two press days is by far the most important with some 25-30 manufacturers getting their news out there on that day. The second press day has a handful of lesser announcements with most of that day dedicated to allowing journalists to follow up on what they first reported the day before.

The Top Event For The USA & Canada

“The NAIAS is the premiere auto showcase for the US market,” said Dr. Kunibert Schmidt of the German Associations of Automotive Industry (VDA – Verband der Automobilindustrie). “The show’s recent decision to refine the press conference schedule is the perfect example of finding efficiencies in our industry as well as strengthening the professionalism the NAIAS exhibits to the world.”

“There is no better voice than that of the customer,” said NAIAS Executive Director, Rod Alberts. “The volume of media we serve internationally and the exhibitors who rely on them make this show one of the world’s top draws. We continue to listen to our audiences and by responding to their needs, NAIAS maintains its standing as one of the top international auto shows in the world.”

Industry Days & Charity Preview

The 2010 press days will be January 11-12 followed by industry preview on January 13-14. As usual, the charity preview will follow and is scheduled for January 15th. The public show will run from January 16-24th.

The 2010 event will mark the 22nd year that the show has been recognized by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. Prior to 1989 the event was known as the Detroit Auto Show.

Source: North American International Auto Show

See Also — For Sixth Straight Year, NAIAS Sees Decline