The Detroit Auto Show has a long and proud history spanning over 100 years. The first show was held in December 1907 at Beller's Beer Garden in Riverview Park, Detroit, and, with 17 exhibitors, the Detroit Area Dealer Association knew they had a winner on their hands. They had no idea how popular the show would eventually become, though, and these days it showcases over 130 exhibitors. It is also extremely popular with industry guests, public and press alike and 650,000 visitors attended the 2009 Detroit Auto Show with over 31 million more visiting the official website. Highlights of the Detroit Motor Show's 103 year history include the 1957 show when the first international auto manufacturers' vehicles were shown, the 1965 show when the Cobo Center was home to the exhibition for the first time and the groundbreaking international show of 1989. It is also the only auto show in the USA that is approved and sanctioned by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles.
The Detroit International Auto Show is an amalgamation of four separate events: the industry preview, the media preview, the charity preview and the 9-day public show. It is an unprecedented opportunity for vehicle industry professionals to network, for philanthropists to contribute to charity events and for Joe Public to view the latest automotive innovations. The 2010 Show will be highlighting eco-friendly vehicles and attending the EcoXperience, sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, will enable visitors to ride in the latest electric and hybrid vehicles on its 70,000 sq. ft. indoor course. And all of this and more has been organized for the visitor's pleasure by the highly motivated and talented committee of only five members!
The 2010 Detroit Car Show will include exhibitions by Mitsubishi, Cadillac, Ford, Chrysler, Dodge and Roush, to name a few. Counted among the 2010 sponsors are Denso, ZF, the accounting firm KPMG, Johnson Controls, Delta, Michelin and the MEDC. The 2010 show will also host the 9th Annual Michelin Challenge Design Competition as well as the EyesOn Design Award, sponsored by The Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology, for the most innovative automotive designs. The show also hosts a Photo Contest and a High School Poster Contest.
The 2010 show should include all categories found in earlier shows and may include some new ones and visitors can marvel at the Production Car Introductions and the Concept Car Introductions. As the 2009 show spotlighted 18 new vehicles in the Production category along with 14 in the Concept category, the sky is truly the limit for the 2010 show. The winners of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards will also be announced; the Hyundai Genesis and the Ford F-150 respectively won last year's awards.
