#NAIAS Detroit’s 2016 North American International Auto Show

Detroit hosts the world.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Jan. 11, 2016

According to the NAIAS organizers, Detroit has hosted an auto show of one sort or another minus the war years (1941 – 1945) and through 1953 for over a century.

The show’s focus was strictly regional like many were around the country and world but in 1987, auto dealers within the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) began preps to make the Motor City and birthplace of automobile mass production an International event.

Today, more than 5,000 journalists from 60 countries constituting 30 percent international media attend the NAIAS.

Press Days are only a small subset of the show as the NAIAS also incorporates The Gallery, an ultra-luxury automotive event, a Press Preview, Industry Preview, Charity Preview, and a nine-day Public Show.

Press Days Schedule

Monday January 11

6:55-7:15 AM – North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year Awards
7:00 AM – MAIN SHOW FLOOR OPENS
7:35-8:00 AM – Chrysler "Pacifica"
8:05-8:30 AM – Chevrolet "Bolt"
8:35-9:00 AM - Audi "A4 allroad quattro"
9:05-9:30 AM - Volkswagen "Tiguan GTE Active Concept"
9:35-10:00 AM – Mercedes-Benz all-new 10th gen E-Class
10:05-10:30 AM - BMW "M2 and all-new BMW X4 M40i"
10:35-11:00 AM - Volvo "S90 Sedan"
11:05-11:30 AM - Porsche
11:40 AM-12:05 PM EST – Ford "Fusion, Fusion HEV and PHEV"
12:15-12:40 PM – Inifinti "Q60 Sports Coupe"
12:45-1:10 PM EST – Lexus "LC 500"
1:15-1:40 PM EST – Honda "Ridgeline"
1:45-2:10 PM - Hyundai "Genesis G90"
2:15-2:40 PM – Kia "Telluride Concept and Niro CUV Hybrid"
2:45-3:10 PM – ZF "autonomous driving and 8-speed PHEV transmission"

Tuesday, January 12

8:00-8:25 AM – Acura "Precision Concept"
8:30-8:55 AM – Lincoln "Continental"
9:00-9:25 AM – GMC Arcadia
9:30-9:55 AM – Nissan "Titan Warrior"
1:25-1:50 PM EST - Elio
1:55-2:20 PM – Hitachi
2:25-2:50 PM EST – Shell "M and Class 8 truck lubrication"

But first, we have to get there…

The pilgrimage to Detroit for the 2016 Detroit Auto Show continues.

But first you have to drive through the gauntlet called Chicago.

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Then into Indiana.

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Then into Michigan where it is snowing.

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Wayne

 

Hi All:

#NAIAS2016 - From the Indiana/Michigan border all the way to Jackson. Pure Michigan indeed...

Swapped from the 16 Prius' into James 13 Volt in Albion for the rest of the journey.

Wayne

 

Hi All:

#NAIAS2016 - The People Mover adorned in Shell EcoMarathon messaging and colors!

Wayne

 

Hi All:

#NAIAS2016 - Is just minutes away from launch.

To begin, the NACOTY and NATOTY award with esteemed colleagues turned jurors from all over North America have voted on what they consider to be the most significant new automobile for the 2016 MY. After the cull, the new Malibu, Civic and Miata MX-5 were the three gladiators on the car side and the XC90, Titan XD and Pilot on the truck side were still left standing.

Odds on favorite is the local boy called Malibu and the XC90...

#NAIAS2016 - NATOTY is the Volvo XC90 and the NACOTY is the Honda Civic!

Wayne

 

Hi All:

#NAIAS2016 - With the Chevrolet Volt Owners and about to see the Chevrolet Presentation with more detail on the all new and super sharp looking Bolt BEV. More than what was provided at CES hopefully.

PS: The white knight - 13 Volt - that brought us to Detroit today.

Wayne

 

Hi All:

#NAIAS2016 - 2017 Cherolet #Bolt was driven on stage by Mary Barra and Mark Reuss.

GM's Mary Barra and Mark Reuss​

200 miles range, 200 hp and 266 lb-ft for a sub 7-second dash to 60. $145/kWh pricing.

Nickel rich chemistry keeps thermodynamic properties under control.

Level3 for 30-minutes provides 90 miles.

94 cu. ft of passenger volume! 47 cu. ft with rear seats down.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All we reported earlier.

The GM rear view camera we reported about a year ago in the mirror will be placed within...

Cruze hatch looks cool as hell in person too!

Cruze Hatchback​

Wayne

 

Hi All:

I spent a few minutes with Darin Geese, Product Mgr. for Volt and Bolt. 21 year GM employee and 5 with the Volt/Bolt.

Does he like the Volt or Bolt better?

"It is like the difference between your children. Both are special in their own way."

1,000 miles of seat time in the Bolt.

Likes the spaciousness, ergonomics and especially the seat height. CUV like.

His favorite Bolt features? 10.2" display, rear view camera mirror, around view without the lines...

Wayne

 

Hi All:

Wayne

 

Hi All:

#NAIAS2016 - Meet the Kia Niro Hybrid CUV. More details will come in Chicago.

Big news and despite being released at CES is Kia's $10 billion USD investment over the next 5 years into Hybrid and electric product development. With that level of investment, expect to hear and see great things from the hard charging Korean..

Wayne

 

Hi All:

#NAIAS2016 - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica... Anyone know what that port is for?

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All-new 3.6L Pentastar with a PHEV/Full Hybrid drivetrain. Seats 8 on non PHEV variant while offering hundreds of convenience and safety features.

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30 miles of range from its 16 kW. Maybe 12 usable???

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Wayne

 

Now THAT is what I'm talking about! Where have Toyota and Honda been? I've been asking for this for years. This will sell and they'll be playing catch-up.

Well, it depends on price and non-EV mpg, both of which they don't mention.

 

Hi All:

#NAIAS2016 - 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid accompanies us to Slows BBQ for an after show delight.

Thanks go to Hyundai for the fantastic Hybrid and for dinner tonight.

Wayne

 

Hi All:

#NAIAS2016 - Hyundai and Slows BBQ.

Auto journalists are great writers, great on screen personalities but most of all, great eaters!

Wayne

 

The PBJ made the final meal that much more enjoyable.

Also, that BBQ looks delicious.