Detroit motor show 2020 cancelled by coronavirus

Published: 30 March 2020

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The 2020 Detroit motor show has been cancelled by the global coronavirus pandemic, bringing an end to yet another car show. The Geneva motor show in early March was the first scalp, and the New York show in April has been pulled as the Javits Center becomes a temporary hospital.

‘Although we are disappointed, there is nothing more important to us than the health, safety and well-being of the citizens of Detroit and Michigan, and we will do what we can to support our community’s fight against the coronavirus outbreak,’ said executive director Rod Alberts.

He confirmed that the Detroit auto show would postpone by one year, and said he hoped the event would take place in June 2021 instead. All tickets to this year’s event will be refunded in full.

What happened at the 2019 Detroit motor show

Read on for highlights of the 2019 Detroit motor show, aka the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). This was the last winter time slot for the Detroit show, which had planned to move to a new summer fixture in June 2020.

In 2019 NAIAS ran from 14-27 January 2019 and we reported on all the action at the Cobo Hall Arena, from news of the new Cadillac electric car and Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 to the Subaru STI S209 and highly anticipated Toyota Supra. It was a quieter show, as many brands pulled out (none of the upmarket German premium brands were there, for instance). But there remained treats in store for car enthusiasts – don’t forget the US remains one of the world’s top two car markets, with 16.8 million new-car sales forecast for 2019.

Every new car that matters at the last North American International Auto Show: an A-Z preview guide

Cadillac XT6: a big American launch at 2019 NAIAS

CADILLAC
XT6 (above)
  Our first look at the new, three-row large SUV due in 2020, sharing hardware with Chevrolet Traverse
Electric SUV  The brand’s first all-electric car was confirmed on the eve of the NAIAS. Caddy gets first dibs on GM’s new global EV platform 

Ford Explorer at the 2019 Detroit motor show

FORD
Explorer (above)  The Ford Explorer is the US’s bestselling SUV – this one is the sixth generation
Mustang Shelby GT500
  A ripped 700bhp 5.2-litre V8 in this most powerful ‘Stang yet

INFINITI
QX Inspiration electric SUV (below)  Our first look at a fully electrified Infiniti SUV at the NAIAS

Electric Infiniti SUV at the 2019 Detroit motor show

KIA
Telluride  Production version of the seven-seater SUV concept, due for US market only

 LEXUS
RC F and Track Edition  Japanese firm presents a 30th birthday present to itself with tuned M4 CS rival
LC Convertible Concept (below)  Dramatic open-top LC launches with dashing looks, same V8 and hybrid brief as coupe

Lexus LC Convertible Concept at the 2019 Detroit auto show

LINCOLN
Continental 80th Anniversary Coach Door Edition  
Suicide doors on your limo? Why not!

NISSAN 
IMs concept  An ‘elevated sports sedan’ with 2+1+2 seating and electric power premieres in Detroit

The Subaru WRX Sit S209 has been confirmed for the Detroit auto show 2019

SUBARU
WRX STi S209 (above)  A boosted Scooby arrived in Detroit, with 341bhp and limited 200 production run

TOYOTA
Supra (below)  After the endless build-up, leaks and concepts, finally the real Supra is here
TJ Cruiser crossover concept  A look ahead to the future of Toyota’s crossovers 

Toyota Supra: leaked already, but shown for real at the 2019 NAIAS

Practical information about the Detroit motor show 2019

Where is the Detroit auto show held?  Cobo Center, One Washington Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48226, USA
When is the NAIAS?  14-27 January 2019
Opening times: 9.00am-10.00pm every day (9.00am-7.00pm on Sunday 27 January)
How much are Detroit motor show 2019 tickets?  Adults $14, pensioners $7, children under six free with adult, kids 7-12 cost $7. Ticket prizes frozen from 2018
NAIAS official website: https://naias.com

The official 2018 NAIAS Detroit auto show logo

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