Sep 26, 2023

The Detroit Auto Show in its best days was a sight to behold.
Prototypes and concepts, Innovation and technology displays, and hundreds of beautiful new cars and trucks around elaborate presentations that took weeks to put together.

It was a beautiful day in South East Michigan and from the roof top parking area of the former Cobo Hall, there was a nice view of Detroit's skyline and across the river to Windsor, Canada.

1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI has been renamed Huntington Place Convention Center.

Over the the past 40 years or so, it was not uncommon for attendance to be in the 800,000 range. This year attendance was dismal.
Detroit was once the center of automotive production, discovery and technology, but things have changed and over the last 40 years. Detroit has been reduced to a fraction of what it had been.

We look forward to the day Detroit reclaims it's greatness as the motor city capital of the world.

As for 2023 here are some highlights.

Ford revealed the new 2024 F150 and F150 Raptor.

Cadillac shows off it's all electric 2025 Escalade IQ and CT5.

Jeep and Ram had a nice display and unveiled the Ram 1500 TRX Last Call and Dodge displayed its Charger Daytona SRT Concept.

While Chevrolet hypes the 2024 Corvette E-Ray and the refreshed Acadia.

The new Mustang and Fords Dark Horse edition also made an appearance.

The prized stallion of this show was to be the 2025 Mustang GTD.
A mid-engine Mustang with carbon fiber body panels, forged magnesium wheels and a 5.2 liter flat plane crank V8 pushing 800 hp.
With an extra 4 inches added to its track width, this horse has an aggressive, wide stance.

The organizers claimed to have 35 vehicle brands present but the majority of the show belonged to Ford/Lincoln, GM/Chevy and Chrysler/Jeep/Ram with notable dispalys by Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Kia and Hyundia,

Set deep in the back of the event were the orphans of the show. A handful of european cars from days gone by, whose parent manufacturers were a no show.

There was very little emphasis on concept vehicles or prototypes.
But if you wanted to take a ride in an electric vehicle this was the place to be.
Ford, Ram and Jeep each had their own indoor track, which took up much of the floor space inside. Visitors could ride in an electric vehicle and experience climbing artificial hills and rough terrain with a professional driver at the wheel.
The back of the hall contained the Power Michigan EV Experience where they answer questions about pricing, ownership, charging and where the power comes from. Then you can take a spin in one of the numerous electric vehicles on the floor.

They called it an 'Indoor EV experience' but it looked to me like an amusement park. Vehicles on an indoor track creating a bread and circus distraction from the reality that this show has fallen from the heights of where it once was.

Open to the public September 16th through the 24th, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The show closes at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday

Enjoy the photos.

Most Recent News Articles

2023 North American International Auto Show