Does NAIAS really bring in enough money for the city to warrant $595 million?

Chicago’s McCormick place is really a better venue. There is a lot of room there and the city is MUCH better. More hotels, more entertainment, O’Hare, etc.etc.

Since the Chicago Auto Show is already quite large (3rd place behind Detroit and LA), I think it could step up a notch and basically replace Detroit. Talk about a sign of the times!!

Wow everything is leaving Detriot. First the auto industry and the jobs, now the auto show! I blame the Japanese. lol!

I’d rather see a West Coast showing of what they save for the Detroit show as we purchase more vehicles anyway. Nothing against Detroit, but why save it for Detroit these days?

I would love to see it come to Cleveland mainly because I wouldn’t have to drive to Detroit anymore. Cleveland also has the largest exposition center in the nation at over 1 million square feet. I always thought that Cobo was a little too crowded so the extra space would be great.

Is this really newsworthy??? boring

Put it someplace people want to go. Combine Detroit and LA together and have it in Vegas or San Diego.
Detroit and LA both suck as cities.

So in the year 2008 when Detroit is going through a rough time all of a sudden we all for get what this great city has produce. Pioneer the automobile (the European’s didn’t care for the average man to own one), the light bulb (Thomas Edison), Motown Records. The D has so far hold it’s own against all adversity (Civil war, declining auto industry, job loss, etc). Watch carefully Detroit will make it’s come back and it will be stronger.

@ SwerveEarly, hell with those choices why not just put it in Tijuana?

You are missing the point of having the auto show in Detroit if you can’t see the difference between NAIAS and the other major auto shows, such as L.A., Chicago and NY. Those are based on the population surrounding the cities and is more or less a marketing tool. Detroit (and surrounding areas) still is the headquarter for the Big Three. The show is there because of the heritage and culture (YES, I said culture because everyone who lived or lives in the 313 know someone who works in the auto industry!) So if you don’t understand Detroit, or only come to visit because of the NAIAS, then shut up! Detroit is not about marketing, but rather paying respect to the city that changes how we live by giving us mass-produced cars. Heritage is something you cannot reproduce in any other Metropolitan areas.

As to whether it can make enough money to cover the cost to renovate Cobo? Cobo is not only there for NAIAS. And people who come see the show also benefit the otherwise pointless People Mover System. Also, local businesses such as Greektown benefits as well.

You’re not getting a complete picture by looking at the Cobo renovation as a stand alone project. If Detroit loses NAIAS, they may lose Greektown and other businesses. Empty buildings are not uncommon there and the city is trying to attract businesses, not giving them an excuse to move out of town. That alone is enough to justify the renovation. Also, I have heard talks about trying to get the Pistons to play at Cobo again.

Thank you Sharpie. I personally represent the 313 because I live in the area, and I know what the Detroit Auto show means to Detroit and everyone living in the Detroit metro area. Right now Wayne County and the City of Detroit are working on expanding Cobo hall. Which is included in this news by 120,000sq ft. It saddens me that Chrysler isn’t debuting the Challenger in Detroit, THE MOTOR CITY so all I have to say is F*** Chrysler. I wouldn’t buy anything from them anyways. If it wasn’t for companies like GM and Ford, the global automotive community wouldn’t be on such a large scale as it is now.

Hey SS4LIFE Chrysler debuted the Ram in Detroit. The only reason they are debuting the Challenger in Chicago is because they don’t want either of the cars to steal each others thunder.

well strike that the concept was originally debuted already in Detroit. But I was hoping to see the production model at Detroit.

But I’m taking the train with some friends and staying the weekend in CHI town to go to the McCkormick Center to see the Auto Show.

Oh yeah that’s true I forgot RamRod003.

Agree with both of you, sharpie and ss4life. Moving the NAIAS out of Detroit would be a huge mistake. Sure, there are other big cities with better conv centers but it IS about the heritage. And despite what other import car makers and other cities say, DETROIT IS STILL THE AUTMOTIVE HUB OF NORTH AMERICA, PERIOD! What makes Chicago better? Deep Dish Pizza? LA..Bigger population? Better weather?…Please! Vegas? Tourist town full of service workers! Until the automakers fold in Motown, this is where it should be and it should be the crown jewel.

Gotta say you have a point with the deep-dish pizza!

I would like to visit Cleveland also, I grew up there.

But my old neighborhood is a crack-filled scary place, just a drive-through visit.

Pizza….Gino’s East….Yummmy…Yummy.

Sorry Detroit…its a sweaty armpit in the summer and a nasty dirty town in the winter. Huge crime problems and horrible roads. In January of every F**ing year I personally like to visit cities that have well….sunshine and clean facilities. That is not Detroit. Move the show to a nice area and watch the attendance rise.

I hate Detroit. They should move the show to San Diego!

Ramrod: cleveland sucks