Detroit motor show moving to June from 2020

The long-running Detroit motor show will be moved from January to June in 2020, as its organisers seek to make it relevant amid falling interest and participation.

The new-look North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will kick off on the week of June 8, right in the middle of summer, and seeks to encourage "dynamic exhibits and experiential opportunities outside of the show's four walls for attending journalists, industry members and consumers".

Given the success of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, we'd be surprised if that didn't mean more outdoors demonstrations, and more opportunities for manufacturers to show their cars in action, rather than the sterile show floor.

In the official NAIAS release, the idea of dynamic vehicle debuts, ride and drives, autonomous and automated showcases, and off-road challenges were all raised, although nothing has been confirmed.

The date change also gives the show some clean air from the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, which has become a popular place for manufacturers to launch high-tech concepts over the past few years.

By moving away from the busy holiday period, the organisers say the mid-year slot will also make it cheaper to organise for manufacturers.

“Our show is undergoing its most significant transformation in the last three decades,” said Rod Alberts, executive director at NAIAS.

"Detroit will continue to be a global stage for some of the world’s most significant and iconic vehicle reveals and host an unparalleled international audience of media and key industry influencers.”

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