Organizers of the popular Detroit auto show announced more unfortunate news today: The event has been canceled for 2021.
The event is formally known as the North American International Auto Show and is a boon for both car shoppers and the industry. But in the past year it just couldn’t seem to catch a break.
Last year the show was slated to make the big move in from January to June. The idea was to grow the show via outdoor events and interactive experiences, something much easier done in the warmer summer weather than the freezing cold of January.
Of course, the coronavirus pandemic put an end to those plans, as they did for every other auto show in 2020 save for Chicago, which took place in February right before safer-at-home orders went into place.
The Detroit Auto Dealers Association that manages the show originally said it would be postponed to June of this year, 2021. But then that date got moved to late September. Now, news has broke that it has been nixed altogether.
Motor Bella Still on Track
But there is still a silver lining for car lovers, with an auxiliary event that is still slated to take place. Called the Motor Bella, the even will take place Sept. 21-26 at the M1 racetrack north of Detroit in Pontiac.
Organizers call the event a “bridge to the future” that will still host vehicle debuts, exhibitions, and a peek at new automotive technology. A news release about the event says that “plans call for 1.6 million square feet of dynamic vehicle and technology display space including terrain ideal for showcasing off-roading capabilities. M1 Concourse also offers a 1.5-mile hot track on the grounds for technology and vehicle demonstrations.”
“The pandemic has caused changes in our society and world in ways not previously imagined, and we all should be looking for new and highly creative ways of doing business,” said Executive Director Rod Alberts. “This new event captures that creative spirit. It will provide new mobility experiences and increasingly innovative approaches to tapping into the industry and its products.”
Stay tuned in the months ahead for more details surrounding the event.
