by Chicago Auto Show Returns
The Chicago Auto Show opens on February 6th. Currently, no premieres of new cars have been announced. The cost of attendance for a family can approach $100.
Uncertain Prospects for the Auto Show
The Detroit Auto Show didn’t bring many surprises, aside from the presentation of the Bronco RTR, Mustang Dark Horse SC, and the announcement of the North American Car, Utility, and Truck of the Year award winners. Ram also presented the 2027 1500 SRT TRX and 2500 Power Wagon models to the public, but both had already been shown to the press back in December and officially unveiled on New Year’s Day.
This is not the best start to the auto show calendar, and the situation doesn’t seem to be improving anytime soon. In particular, the most interesting event for the press at the Chicago Auto Show appears to be the “U.S. Army Snack Break” at 1:00 PM.
Lack of Major Premieres
At the time of writing, no significant press conferences are scheduled. Although Kia, Stellantis, and Toyota have announced previews of “new vehicles,” this does not guarantee that brand-new models will be unveiled at this show. It’s more likely that the companies will show already existing products. However, separate announcements are possible.
Short Day for the Press
However, this remains to be seen, and it is never a good sign when the media center and exhibition floor close at 2:00 PM. This means the entire press preview will last only six hours, barely longer than a car ride from Detroit to Chicago.
Auto Shows Are Losing Their Former Weight
Of course, auto shows are losing their importance and are no longer key media events. If this doesn’t bother you, the public portion of the show will run from February 7th to 16th.
Ticket Prices
Tickets for adults (13+) cost $20, while for children (4-12) and seniors (65+) admission is $15 before taxes and fees. Although children under three get in free, a family of four can easily spend between $85.30 and $97.48, including all payments.
The general trend of diminishing significance of major auto shows as platforms for major world premieres continues. Manufacturers are increasingly choosing their own online or offline events for presentations, giving them more control over the audience and format. This forces organizers of large-scale events like the Chicago Auto Show to reorient towards creating an experience for the general public and family entertainment, which, however, comes with a corresponding cost. The future of such exhibitions will likely depend precisely on their ability to attract visitors with entertainment and the opportunity to see many cars in one place, rather than on exclusive content for journalists.
