The city of Detroit isn't exactly going through the best of times these days and in fact, as most of you know, it filed for bankruptcy on July 18 this year after falling an estimated $20 billion in debt to over 100,000 creditors. Still, it remains the capital of America's auto industry and home of the continent's biggest international motor show.
In stark contrast to the city's immediate future, the auto industry is rebounding from the recession and is on track for a fifth straight year of growth – only the second time this has happened since World War II. The Detroit auto show's officials expect this positive trend to be displayed at the upcoming 2014 event in January.
We're still three months away from the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), but the event organizers said today that they have "secured dozens of worldwide vehicle introductions" and that the products will debut "in nearly all vehicle categories, including concepts, luxury, sports/performance, crossovers, trucks, SUVs, and alternative fuel technologies." You can see a list of automakers that have confirmed world debuts in the list below.
"Manufacturers have clearly stated that 'Detroit' continues to be a significant component in their global auto show strategies," said NAIAS 2014 Chairman Bob Shuman. "Our partnership with manufacturers in Asia, Europe, and North America has never been stronger, and their ongoing confidence in the NAIAS is evident by the critical worldwide product unveilings headed for Detroit's world stage."
Visitors at the 2014 NAIAS in January will also be amongst the first to see the latest improvements at the revamped Cobo Center in Detroit, including the conversion of the former Cobo Arena, now known as the Grand Ballroom. Work on the Cobo Center is expected to be fully completed in 2015.
