It's that time of the year again, when hundreds of thousands of people from near and far will come to Detroit to see what the city has been known for for at least 100 years: automobiles.
DETROIT, MI - It's that time of the year again, when hundreds of thousands of people from near and far will come to Detroit to see what the city has been known for for at least 100 years: automobiles.
The 2016 North American International Auto Show is now just a mere four days away, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, NAIAS Chairman Paul Sabatini and others walked through Cobo Center's halls Thursday morning as workers busily assembled the bright and colorful displays that will soon be surrounded by shiny new cars and trucks.
Once again this year, and so different from the end of the last decade, the Detroit Three automakers are profitable, and U.S. new car and truck sales are at record levels. Times are good, and the city itself appears to be on an upswing, too.
"We hope that the Detroit auto companies keep on the roll that they're on, because it's a great thing for the city," Duggan said Thursday.
Which car is Duggan most eager to see?
He said he's interested in the Chevrolet Bolt EV, which was unveiled Wednesday at CES in Las Vegas. He noted its 200-mile all-electric range.
"I don't know if I could work out a deal with GM to have a fleet of Bolts, (I'd) love to see those parking meter officers zipping around in the Bolts," Duggan joked. "I don't know if I could work that out or not."
Security
Asked about any security concerns, Duggan noted that the city has hosted several conventions without issue, and last year the city had 5,000 Lutheran teenagers in town for a week with no incidents.
"We are totally coordinated with the federal government on all issues," Duggan said. "There's no indication of a terrorist threat, but you know, every mayor in a major city in this country has it weigh heavily on their minds."
Economic impact
Last year's auto show had an estimated economic of about $400 million. NAIAS Chairman Paul Sabatini said he expects that number to grow this year.
"We really believe it's going to be over $425 million this year just because there's more people, they stay downtown longer, there's more restaurants open, there's more things for people to see," Sabatini said.
More than 5,000 journalist from about 60 countries are expected to come to Detroit for the annual auto show. That's in addition to more than 800,000 people from Metro Detroit and beyond who are expected to pass through Cobo for the public show.
Duggan said if people venture beyond downtown they'll see a Detroit in which 60,000 new street lights are now working. He said graffiti has been scrubbed from 6,000 structures.
"Go in and out of this city on the freeway and you can hardly see a vacant building or a bit of graffiti," Duggan said. "These kinds of things that we've done to work on the city's image I think are going to pay off and I'm anxious to see how the reporters from around the country and around the world react to what they see in Detroit."
Some fast facts on the 2016 NAIAS:
- Before January 11, 78,000 square feet of carpet will be installed or 1 1/3 football fields.
- Over 400,000 square feet of raised flooring or more than 85 basketball courts will also be installed inside Cobo to showcase over 750 vehicles.
- It takes 1,800 semitrucks to move the show in and out which takes 12 weeks to install and two weeks to dismantle by 1,500 union workers.
- According to the NAIAS, "Between exhibit and people Cobo Center during the NAIAS supports 240 million pounds or 120,000 tons of people & Exhibits." Which is equivalent to 10,000 elephants.
Related: These are the new cars and trucks expected to debut at next week's Detroit auto show
The press preview days are Jan. 11 and 12, industry days are Jan. 13 and 14 and the charity preview is Jan. 15.
The 2016 NAIAS will open to the public Jan. 16-24, when more than 750 total vehicles will be on display. Tickets are $13 for adults, $7 for seniors and $7 for children under 12. Kids under 6 years get in free.
David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com, follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook.