The North American
International Auto Show is among the most prestigious auto
shows in the world. For those of you who have been to the
auto show before, the 2007 edition will be very different.
Each year, the NAIAS continues to get bigger and more exciting.
The upcoming show will certainly live up to it's reputation.
The Detroit Auto
Dealers Association (DADA) will celebrate 100 Years in 2007.
They are the organization that puts on the auto show each
year. The first auto show was held in Detroit on Dec. 9, 1907.
In 1989, The Detroit Auto Show became international. The 2007
NAIAS will include a celebration of it's past and a look at
the future.
Last year, Jeep
drove one of it's automobiles through the glass window of
Cobo Center. They caught the attention of media from around
the world when they did it. In 2007, look for an ice rink
inside Cobo. Mercedes-Benz will use the rink to demonstrate
their new all-wheel drive vehicles. They will show how their
cars can retain traction even on icy roadways.
While looking at
the floor plan for the NAIAS, you will notice some big changes.
Many of the automakers will be in different locations. GM
has traditionally been located right next to Ford's display
at the auto show. In 2007, three automakers will separate
GM from Ford. GM will be located in the back while Ford will
be located near the entrance. In the middle of GM and Ford
will be Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Kia.
This year, three
Chinese automakers will make their debut at the NAIAS. Volkswagen
has traditionally had floor space on the main floor and in
the Michigan Hall on the lower level. In 2007, Volkswagen
will only be located on the main floor. As you go down the
escalator to the lower level, you will see Changfeng, one
of the Chinese automakers. The other two Chinese automakers,
Great Wall and Zhongxing will be located in the lobby of Cobo
Center. Last year, Geely displayed two of it's vehicles at
the NAIAS.
GM will host a
party along Detroit's riverfront on January 6th. They will
pair up concept cars with Hollywood stars like Carmen Electra,
Mario Lopez, Vivica A. Fox, Danny Masterson, super model Petra
Nemcova and star stylist Rachel Zoe. All of the cars were
designed in 11 different studios around the globe.
There will be an
extensive list of new concept cars and production models at
the 2007 NAIAS. AmericaJR.com is proud to be the First Web
site in the World to publish these lists. Click
here to view our list of New Concept Cars. It was first
published on Sept. 26, 2006. Click
here to view our list of New Production Models. It was
first published on Sept. 22, 2006.
The 2007 Charity
Preview will take place on January 12th. It is the biggest
one-day fundraiser in America. The event raises over $6 million
in a three-hour period. The event supports 11 different charitable
organizations throughout Michigan. Tickets cost $400 each
and can be purchased by calling 1-888-838-7500
or visit www.naias.com.
We would like to encourage you to attend this black-tie fundraiser.
On January 17th,
the NAIAS will host it's annual Automotive Education Day.
Area students will be able to learn about career paths in
the automotive industry. Opening remarks will be made by Hilary
Will, a KB Racing Top Fuel Dragster. Students will then have
time to visit the show from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
On January 18th,
the NAIAS will celebrate Auto Racing Day. Fans will be able
to meet IRL drivers Helio Castroneves, Sam Hornish Jr., LeMans
driver Ron Fellows, Chris Dyson, and NHRA Top-Fuel racer Hilary
Will. Exhibits will highlight MIS, the return of the Detroit
Belle Isle Grand Prix, the American LeMans Series, Micro Reality
race cars and Formula One race cars from MSU.
There is an extensive
list of supporting events that are associated with the NAIAS.
AmericaJR.com and it's web team will be covering many of these
events. I will attend a convention at The Detroit Free Press
on January 6th. The topic will be "What Drives Detroit?"
a look at the Challenges Facing the U.S. Auto Industry. Jerome
and Gloria Rzucidlo will attend the SAA Automotive Outlook
Conference at the Renaissance Center on January 9th. Mike
Ismair and I will attend the AutoWeek Design Forum on January
10th. Our goal is to bring you the BEST Coverage. Period.
We invite you set
aside time to visit the 2007 NAIAS. It will open to the public
on January 13th and run until the 21st. Please visit the upcoming
auto show. If you've been thinking about it, this is the one
you will want to attend. The DADA is celebrating 100 Years
of the Detroit Auto Show and we want you to experience it!
Don't Forget,
AmericaJR.com is the ONLY web site in the World with FREE
Tickets to the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Please
register now to win! Another exclusive from AmericaJR.com,
Detroit's #1 Website.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Jeep
drove this car through the glass window of Cobo Center and
parked it on the top of this display.
PHOTO
BY ANDREW TURNER / AMERICAJR.com
The
Honda Fit was named a finalist for the 2007 "Car of the
Year" Award.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
In
2006, Geely was the first Chinese automaker to show a car
at the NAIAS. In 2007, there will be three Chinese automakers
displaying their vehicles.
