To many people from Oakland County and all around the State of Michigan, it’s the Detroit Auto Show. But the official name is the North American International Auto Show, and it was started in a Detroit beer garden in 1907. It has been held at Detroit’s Cobo Center since 1965 and the show took on international status in 1989.

The Detroit Auto Show has come a long way since the first gathering in 1907 with only 17 automobile manufacturers presenting 33 cars.

The week before the public showing, thousands of motor journalists from all around the world will converge on Detroit’s Cobo Center to examine, review and write about not only the new vehicles, soon to be available to you and I, but the concept vehicles, that may be our next mode of personal transportation.  Last year over 50 new cars were presented at the show along with 16 concept vehicles to the nearly 800,000 who attended the public showing. The economic impact to the region has been estimated at over 350 million.

The black-tie Charity Preview, which brings in millions of dollars for local charities is a celebrity filled event.  The preview sells out year after year. Preview tickets are $350. Over the last 10 years, the Charity Preview has raised over 47 million for local children’s charities

While I could write all day on what is to be seen at the show, I will let a few (hundred) pictures tell the story of almost everything I saw at last years “Auto Show”.

Public Show Dates and Times

Saturday, January 18 – Saturday, January 25, 2014?
9 a.m. – 10 p.m. (no admittance after 9 p.m.)

Sunday, January 26, 2014
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (no admittance after 6 p.m.)

Early access for handicapped individuals at 8 a.m.

Ticket Pricing
Adults: $13 per person
eTickets: $13 per person
Seniors: $7 (65 and older)
Children: $7 (7-12 years old; 6 and under free with a parent or guardian)

For more information or to purchase tickets visit the North American International Auto Show website at http://www.naias.com.