Dealers get special preview
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DETROIT -- The Detroit auto show will offer car dealers an exclusive look at this year's displays.
The preview, expected to be attended by 400 to 500 dealers, is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Jan. 16, in Cobo Center, the site of the show.
The Detroit show will feature roughly 55 unveilings, more than 44 of which will be world debuts, Rod Alberts, executive director of the show, said. The 2012 Detroit show had 41 world debuts.
Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. will be the first Chinese automaker to display at the Detroit show since 2008.
Land Rover, Jaguar and Ferrari also are returning to the show. Land Rover and Jaguar, owned by India's Tata Group, took part in the New Delhi auto show in 2012 instead of Detroit.
Nearly 5,200 reporters, photographers and other media professionals from 61 countries attended the 2012 show. This year's international media registrations are up 15 percent over last year, Alberts said.
When Porsche, Nissan and others pulled out of the 2009 auto show in response to the recession, the show's organizers filled the vacant space with an electric vehicle ride-and-drive event in Cobo Center's Michigan Hall.
The 2013 EV ride-and-drive event, which will also include hybrids, is sponsored by Japanese supplier Aisin Seiki Co.
Show organizers expect 30,000 engineers and others to attend the industry preview on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Tickets for the charity preview on Friday, Jan. 18, are $300.
Besides new cars, 2013 Detroit show attendees will see progress in the $279 million renovation of Cobo Center. Cobo Hall will remain under construction until the 2014 show, but Cobo's new riverfront atrium will be completed by showtime, said Thom Connors, Cobo general manager.
In addition to the usual food options, several beer gardens will be open throughout the hall.
