bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

SW17LS

I couldn't really tell because it was very close to the end of the day when we were there tonight, I'll know more when I get back later in the week for general admission.

Very surprised Mercedes and Cadillac aren't at the DC show. Porsche has stayed out the past few years but they were there (all their cars are locked).

Toys4RJill

mmarshall

I was at the D.C. show Friday, and plan to go back tomorrow and at least one or two more days.....there's just too much to (adequately) see in one day. Friday's attendance (it was opening day) was a little more than you typically see on weekdays....but Saturday and Sunday are typically the peak attendance-days, with some real crowds.

It's odd, I admit, that Cadillac and Mercedes are (so far) skipping the D.C show ...I haven't seen that before, though it's not surprising that tiny Mitsubishi isn't showing up. However, Porsche, which skipped the D.C (and Detroit) shows for some years, has returned....they often lock their cars, though. But floor-plans aren't always set in stone.....sometimes changes are made in the middle of a show's schedule, and we might (?) see Caddy and Mercedes back later in the week, after the Detroit show is done.

As far as "enthusiasts" go, yes, there are a fair number of those at the D.C. show, but, in general, many of the show-goers seem to be just ordinary people either curious about the new-car market or actually ready to start shopping for one. I (typically) talk to a number of people myself, there, at the show, who just want general advice on a new vehicle, not influenced by the salespeople and company reps there, all trying to push their products.

I'd have to see and experience this "virtual reality" before actually commenting on it, but, in general, my experience, so far, has been there is nothing like an actual hands-on review and/or test-drive.

mmarshall

Detroit, though, tends to be different from many others in that, in more ways, it's a real show. The auto press, general press, and auto-manufacturer CEOs/executives all show up to unveil their latest products, give awards, and take questions/comments from the public. You generally don't see that in D.C., although the D.C. show is important because of the huge amount of money, new-car sales, and the presence of the national government here, which regulates the auto industry. Indeed.....that is why, when they opened up the new Convention Center, they changed the show's period from (roughly) the Christmas/New-Year week to late in January....it allowed Members of Congress to attend the show that are usually back home in their districts for the Holiday season. But, compared to Detroit, the D.C. show usually doesn't have true high-level company-reps....only salespeople and so-called "Product-Specialists", who wear fancy, well-pressed suits with gold/silver badges on them, but sometimes don't know as much about their products as we ourselves here on Car Chat LOL.

Toys4RJill

Fizzboy7

If attendance is declining, it could be due to lack of younger generation's interest in cars and driving. As we continue to mimic third-world trends in California, having a car and a license the day you turn 16 is rapidly becoming rare. Public transportation is gaining popularity and becoming the norm for the next gen. One good byproduct from this is the more they use public transportation, the more it MAY open up slots on the roads for the rest of us, and we may actually be able to get somewhere in under one hour.

mmarshall

LOL. I like your way of thinking.

LexBob2

I go to the Chicago show about once every two or three years, mostly as a last minute decision. This show draws over a million people a year in McCormick Place which has over a million sq. ft. of display space and it seems to be crowed most of the time. I think a lot of people view it as an outing and something to do while seeing some cars in the process. I agree that it's not necessarily geared toward enthusiasts although for me it's nice to see the exotics and higher end cars on display in one spot (always locked and sometimes roped off. I can see interest in shows declining as new technology and changing interests take their toll.

Mike728

I'm planning on going to the Chicago show this year. As Bob stated, it's usually very crowded. I try to go on a week day, but it's still packed. After seeing some manufactures opting out of other shows, I was glad to see them coming to Chicago.
https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vehicles-on-display/
I'm really looking forward to seeing the Genesis G70 in person.

pbm317

Attendance is definitely tougher with auto shows in the day and age of the internet where sites like Autoblog will post up every new car in 60 photos plus manufacturer produced professional photos the minute the embargo and press conference goes up. Chicago is still the largest consumer focused/attended show in the country I believe.

The internet and some more product globalization from the automakers also allow them to use shows in Shanghai, Frankfurt, Geneva, etc rather than just focusing on old marquees of Detroit, New York, LA and Chicago. So it spreads their attention and announcements out across multiple geographies and times throughout the year. I've gone to shows every year since I was a kid, and I don't see myself stopping any time soon, although for me personally it's a combination of work and fun.

BrownPride

I went to this year's Detroit show on the morning it opened. It was jam packed even at 9:30 a.m., definitely more than my visit just 2 yrs ago. I was disappointed that Porsche, Jaguar/Land Rover, Maserati, and all the exotic brands did not show up. Also, none of the Germans kept their higher end cars unlocked. Regardless, it was still a good show overall.

The Seattle auto show, which I frequent most years, doesn't get that busy compared to Detroit per say. It's a better show overall if you are looking to experience some of the cars due it it being less busy and automakers allowing you to sit in their higher end cars.

Vancouver was jam packed last time I went a couple yrs ago. It's an extravaganza of every brand imaginable. No automaker skips this one as the business case for showing up is justifiable. Too many rich Asians with stacks of cash.

Toys4RJill

mmarshall

Not the first time for Porsche.....they pulled out of the Detroit show several years ago.

tex2670

I'm going to Philly on Friday, so I'm not sure what attendance is like. But it was jam packed last year. Caddy is not at Philly, but MB is there, in the same spot as they have been for 20 years--right next to Lexus. I didn't check the floor plan for Porsche, but they have always been in Philly.

It all goes down as a marketing expense. I don't see how mfgs can think that attendance is primarily by enthusiasts.

For them to skip Detroit, but not Philly seems odd.