In another blow, Detroit cancels auto show

Site at TCF Center to become field hospital for COVID-19 patients

The 2020 North American International Auto Show in Detroit has been canceled this year because the Federal Emergency Management Agency chose the TCF Center to become a field hospital for COVID-19 cases for at least six months. The show, one of Southeast Michigan’s signature events, will resume in June 2021, the organizers informed show sponsors in a memo Saturday that was obtained by the Free Press. “The health and welfare of the citizens of Detroit and Michigan is paramount. TCF Center is the ideal location for this important function at this critical and unprecedented time,” NAIAS Executive Director Rod Alberts said in the memo. Auto show officials declined to comment on the memo. The 2021 show will include all the events planned for this year, when the event was to move from its longtime home in January to summer so it could offer outdoor events along the riverfront, including Motor Bella, a preshow street festival of Italian and English cars in the heart of downtown. The cancellation is another blow to the region’s hospitality industry. The show routinely draws 800,000 paying customers to its public days, plus thousands of automaker and supplier executives, engineers and journalists who attend preshow events, filling restaurants and hotels. The cancellation is more stress for those companies already suffering from the show’s absence in January and current COVID-19 restrictions. The Detroit Auto Dealers Association moved the show from its traditional mid-winter slot to make the most of Detroit’s burgeoning downtown in the oftenlovely days of early summer. Automakers, who have been looking for ways to make auto shows more appealing to customers as internet shopping increases, seized on the idea as an opportunity to offer test drives, demonstrate the off-road prowess of SUVs and impress customers with new safety systems, electric and self-driving vehicles. Even before it became clear a temporary field hospital was the best use of TCF Center’s space and central location, there was reason to wonder if customers would be considering big purchases or have interest in fancy new vehicles, barely two months from now. New 2021 show dates and events Motor Bella – June 11 to June 14: A street fair of English and Italian cars and food. The Gallery – June 14: An invitation-only show of the latest exotic and luxury vehicles. Press Preview – June 15 to June 16: Automakers from around the world reveal new vehicles and technologies. AutoMobili-D Powered by PlanetM – June 15 to June 17: Innovators showcase new ideas to automakers and suppliers. Industry Preview – June 16 to June 17: Engineers and designers study new vehicles for competitive information. Charity Preview – Friday, June 18: Massive event raises millions for local charities. Public Show – June 19 to June 26