Dead city blues
Posted by Pat Devereux at 2:40PM on Tuesday 09 January, 2007 7 Comments
2007 marks the 100th anniversary of the Detroit Show and, for many people here, they wouldn't cry if it was the last.
It's not the show itself that's the problem - it's packed full of interesting new cars and industry folk - it's the location.
Downtown Detroit in January - and pretty much any other time of the year - is not a great place to spend your time. It's all freezing winds, lashing snow and deserted city streets.
It made sense to hold the show here when Detroit was the centre of the world's car industry. But it's not any more, so why are we here?
Los Angeles is now the true home of the car in the US. More cars are sold and driven there in a week than in a year in Detroit. And now that LA's got a proper motor show, there's a good case for shifting all the show action over to the West Coast.
Who wouldn't prefer to usher in the new year - and all the new cars - in a positive, blue-skied, sexy location like LA instead of an officially dead city like Detroit? Not me - and not most of the people here at the show if they were honest with themselves.
Even the show organisers seem to agree. The media credentials this year - other than the Barbie-pink press passes - are black armbands. How appropriate. Detroit RIP?
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7 Comments for "Dead city blues"
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Never. Motown may be better known now for Eminem, Techno and its high murder rate but it is still the spiritual heart of the US automotive industry. And at least it is grounded in reality - unlike LA. You need to get out a bit more...
I agree, much has been documented about Detroit being the sphincter of the universe and i cannot imagine why they insist on having something as glamorous as a motor show in the centre of the plumber's butt crack part of the world.
I live outside of New York, and have gone to the Detroit show every year for the past 10 years. There is no way in hell I'd ever go to LA: I loathe Southern California, the state's inane emphasis on environmentalism, and the fact that about one in three people there speaks remotely comprehensible English. It's uncultured strip mall suburbs in search of a legitimate city to pull it together.
You also need to understand that these are regional shows, supported and run by local backers where they are held. So, why would GM, Ford and DCX want to damage their admittedly challenged home city further by not having a once-a-year blowout event? And, people do come from everywhere. Look at all the LA stars at GM's events this week.
Finally, you need to understand where the fun is in the Detroit area. Go north to Windsor, chat up some Canadian cuties from the University, and kill some time at the Casino. Trust me, this can be pleasant.
Geographically, Detroit blows the same winter winds thoughout Europe, Detroit has been the epicenter of the mechanised revolution. The location of the North American Auto show pays homage to the tradition and respect toward the automoblie. American culture stems in the midwest. Sure SW and SE USA have incredible climate lending to panache. The business of US automakers is in Detroit, it has and probaly will. Respect the tradition and find inspiration from the past ghosts that once roamed this area. Be nice.
Fair enough, but if I grew up in a neighbourhood that slowly eroded to a nuclear wasteland, I'd move - wouldn't you?
Detroit sucks - LA rocks. Anyone who disagrees is dead.
The comment from SHOWGOER. He wants people to go north to Windso, Canada and chat up some Canadian Cuties from the University. I encourage him to go to Windsor,Canada and to the University there, but to get an education, not chat up the cuties. To get to Windsor,Canada, from Detroit,Michigan, he has to go SOUTH. As a good Canadian girl (Shania Twain) sings, COME ON OVER, but I suggest you use a taxi to get here.