On the Floor, In Detroit!

"Groagun" (groagun) 01/14/2015 at 17:34 • Filed to: Detroit2015

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Over the past few years I have heard and read many of my 'colleagues' express their dislike and even hatred for auto shows, especially attending them. I can understand certain aspects: some locations and cities are not the 'vacation destination' hot spots others are. Weather is certainly an issue. Some shows are just set up for the general public only and there really is nothing new to see. Modern travel is a bitch, plain and simple!

So where does Detroit fit in the hierarchy and level of importance and excitement in the auto show world. Well it depends on yours and your publishers opinion. The NAIAS or North American International Auto Show was the pinnacle by which all car shows were judged in the past. It still is Americas premier stage regardless of what LA thinks, at least for now.

However, as of the great recession of 2008 and the bottoming out of the Big3, maybe we will leave Ford out of that, and the subsequent bankruptcy filing of the city of Detroit, the NAIAS has fallen from grace: and while that may have been inevitable, it still is a shame.

A shame not just for Detroit and or the Big3, but a shame for America itself!

I still love going to car shows, for me it's like a party, a working party, but a party none the less. For me it's a social gathering where like minded people get together to talk about and revel in the things and industry we love. The car business is like no other business on earth. While I occupy a strange and unique role in this world, changing everyday, I feel privileged to be a part of this wonderful world.

The one over arching and special thing about Detroit isn't the show cars, the surprise announcements, one off specials or any of the metal at the show. While I may have politely slagged LA early, they are the up and coming show and may be the new De-facto standard in America. So why is Detroit so special? Simply it's the people of Detroit itself.

I kid you not, I have been to may shows around the world and in much nicer places but there really is no place like Detroit. From show organizers and management right down to the men and women who clean the bathrooms, to the people who check your coat for you, even those not working in Cobo Hall but in support businesses around downtown, no where else do I or have I encountered such politeness and all out effort to please me and help me with any request I have. 'Detroiters' are some of, if not the hardest working, capable and genuinely nicest people you will ever come across.

And for that reason, America should be ashamed. You have let this once great city and all of it's citizens down and in the process, weakened America as a whole. We all know there are huge problems in Detroit but one thing I know for absolute sure, any problems Detroit has, the people of Detroit can fix!

So instead of slagging this great city and it's people, ask how you can help and what you can do. Bitching about how Detroit is the decaying old world motor city is insulting, it may have some truth to it but it does not have to be. I found the good and great in Detroit and have never failed to do so, so can you.

Milky > Groagun 01/14/2015 at 17:43

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Yay Detroit! I'm excited to go tomorrow and have it be called "work" for the first time in my life. Though I'm in Detroit all of the time, so this post isn't directed at me.

DrJohannVegas > Groagun 01/14/2015 at 17:51

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I swear, I spend more of my time on trips explaining why Detroit is not like depictions of it in the media than any other "small talk" topic. (Especially when on travel outside the US.)

Edit: In case it wasn't clear, I think Detroit is a good place. Complicated, but good.

Sam > DrJohannVegas 01/14/2015 at 18:11

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I was told that the real Detroit (at least back in about 2010) was just a very vacant city. The guy said you probably wouldn't be robbed, because there wasn't really anyone there to rob you.