Following what some could refer to as the ''Great Depression'' of the U.S. automotive industry, sales have continued to increase and this year’s Detroit auto show will reflect a rebounding industry, and city.
DETROIT, MI- Detroit put “the world on wheels,” and the 2013 North American International Auto Show could reaffirm the city’s reputation as the Motor City, according to officials.
Following what could be refereed to as the Great Depression of the U.S. automotive industry, sales have increased and this year’s Detroit auto show will reflect a rebounding industry, and city.
“This is kind of a revalidation you could kind of say of both the industry’s recovery and the critical nature of this Detroit show,” said Karl Brauer, editor in chief and CEO of TotalCarScore.com.“It’s a great story for Detroit as a city.”
The 2013 Detroit auto show is expected to be one of the largest in recent years.
More than 50 worldwide and North American unveilings are expected for the show, which opens to the public Jan. 19 at the renovated Cobo Center, One Washington Blvd.
The majority of those introductions, like last year, are expected to be world debuts, officials said. The 2012 Detroit auto show featured 42 vehicle introductions, including 38 worldwide debuts -- 12 concept vehicles and 26 production models.
"This show is a reflection of the positive changes that are occurring in our industry," said Jim Seavitt, 2013 NAIAS chairman. "Automakers from around the world continue to place NAIAS at the top of their global auto show strategies."
Last year’s public show had an economic impact of $350- $375 million for Metro Detroit and attracted about 771,000 people– its best attendance for the public show since 2005. This year, according to officials, isn’t expected to be any different.
“We’ve come so far from those downturn shows – in that ’08-‘09 time frame,” said Mike Wall, IHS auto analyst. “It was just dire.”
Wall said this year’s show is expected to be as upbeat, or even more so than last year’s.
Arguably the most-anticipated debut is one of the most iconic American cars in U.S. history, the Chevrolet Corvette.
General Motors Co. will debut the vehicle at a special event prior to the show, but the seventh-generation, two-seater sports car is expected to be the belle of the ball, according to analysts.
“It’s a big deal,” Brauer said. “Even people who don’t know cars know the Corvette. If you have a nameplate that has broken out beyond car people … then you’ve got a very powerful nameplate.”
And while the Corvette may steal the headlines, the most-important vehicles – particularly for the Detroit Three – are on the opposite end of the vehicle spectrum.
Pickup trucks, according to TrueCar.com senior analyst Jesse Toprak, are the most important vehicles for GM, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC.
“Those are really the market changers of the show, everything else, although important, their marketing impact is not nearly as much,” he said.
The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra will make their public debuts at the Detroit auto show for GM. Ford is expected to unveil a prototype/concept of its 2015 F-150, the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for 31 consecutive years. And Chrysler is expected to continue showcasing its 2013 Ram 1500, which is arguably the front-runner for the North American Truck of the Year.
More than 500 vehicles are expected to be on display at the show, including the 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year awards, which will be announced Jan. 15, during a special NAIAS media event.
GM, Ford and Chrysler represent two of the three finalists for each of the awards. Ford is the only automaker to have a finalist for both of the awards.
Expected debuts from foreign automakers include the 2014 Acura MDX prototype, Honda Urban SUV concept, a Volkswagen three-row SUV, Infiniti Q50 luxury sport sedan, Bentley GT convertible and a host of other new vehicles.
The 2013 NAIAS is open to the public from Jan. 19-27. Tickets can be purchased online at naias.com or at the door for $12 for adults; $6 for seniors and children 7-12 years old; and children under 6 are free.
For more information on public show tickets, as well as the charity preview Jan. 18, which raised $3 million last year, call 248-283-5173.
Continue to check back to MLive.com/naias for coverage of the North American International Auto Show, including previews of all the expected debuts.
Email Michael Wayland: MWayland@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/MikeWayland