Like the Detroit automakers, the Detroit Auto Show is facing an uncertain future. The event’s Cobo Hall has become much too small to play host to the North American International Auto Show and is starting to fall into a state of disrepair. Detroit officials are dragging their feet on a Cobo upgrade, which has opened the door to the show moving to a surrounding area.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee has approved a $135 million plan to expand Oakland County’s Rock Financial Showplace to host the Detroit show – should a solution for Cobo not be reached.
Detroit officials have until July 1 to give up control of Cobo Hall to a regional body, or face losing the show to a surrounding Detroit suburb. The regional body has already approved up to $299 million in funding to expand and update Cobo Hall.
“I think it’s important the auto show stays in Detroit, but it’s also important to keep the auto show in Southeast Michigan,†committee chairman Sen. Jason Allen, a Republican from Traverse City, told the Detroit Free Press.
However, Rock Financial Showplace might also prove to be too small for the international show. At 215,000 square feet the Showplace is already 485,000 square feet smaller than Cobo, with the expansion unlikely to eclipse the aging Detroit venue. If a reasonable solution can’t be reached, the NAIAS title could be sold to Chicago or Los Angeles.
