Michigan Business & Economy

Howes: As foreign car makers ditch Detroit auto show, organizers consider date change

Michigan Public | By Stateside Staff

Published May 3, 2018 at 2:06 PM EDT

Howes said the Detroit Auto Show used to be "the place to be," but now BMW and Mercedes are pulling out, and Swedish and British executives aren't making a stop in Detroit a priority anymore.

Stateside's conversation with Daniel Howes, Detroit News business columnist.

For decades, January in Southeast Michigan has meant it's time for the auto show. Thousands trek to Cobo Center for the North American International Auto Show, often picking their way through snow and ice, but it seems that the snow may give way to autumn leaves.

Daniel Howes, Detroit News business columnist, joined Stateside to discuss a potential change for auto shows to come as organizers float the idea of moving the event from January to a different time of year.

Listen above to hear what a new timeframe for the event might offer, why October might be the "sweet spot" for the show, and what Howes sees as the likelihood that 2019 will be the last Detroit auto show held in January.

(Subscribe to the Stateside podcast on iTunes, Google Play, or with this RSS link)