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!