Detroit’s Cobo Center to Receive $221 Million Facelfit, Gains Extra Space for Motor Show [with Video]

After the worrying news on Detroit’s staggering 25 per cent population decrease in the last decade, we have some good news for the Motor City as the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority announced a US$221 million renovation of the Cobo Conference and Exhibition Center, which as you already know, hosts the annual North American International Auto Show. The Cobo Center was last updated more than twenty years ago in 1989.

Under the three-year plan, the Cobo Center will undergo a dramatic facelift inside and out with the hopes of making it more competitive in the industry.

The center will grow in size with changes including a new three-store atrium and the conversion of the adjacent Cobo Arena sports and concert venue into a 40,000-square-foot ballroom space. A giant high-tech digital video screen on a revamped east exterior side of the facility is also part of the plan.

"For more than 24 years, the NAIAS has been the vehicle to drive sales and educate consumers and decision makers on a global scale with automakers’ brand messages, while it continues to be a reliable gauge of the worldwide economy,” said NAIAS 2012 Chairman Bill Perkins.

“All of these functions will now be amplified through an amazing transformation of a classic facility that will enhance the image and legacy of the NAIAS. We're building on a strong, positive momentum from NAIAS 2011, and we're encouraged by what we're hearing from automakers. The industry is rebounding, and the news about the Cobo improvements comes at a critical time.

According to the motorshow organizers, many of the renovations will be ready for the 2012 NAIAS and 2013 NAIAS, with all improvements to be completed for the 2014 show.

VIDEO

Police Recover BMW 750i xDrive that was Stolen During the Detroit Auto Show [with VIDEO]

The BMW 750i xDrive that was stolen during the 2011 Detroit Auto Show has been found. The $95,000 car was discovered at a gated apartment complex near Telegraph and Glendale Street, in Detroit’s West Side. Detroit police said the wires to the tracking system had been cut, but the Bimmer was probably ditched due to the massive media attention surrounding the case. Authorities seized the vehicle for further processing.

The 7-Series was used by BMW officials and guests during the press days of the Detroit motor show. Although it was a crime of opportunity, as the handler left the keys in the car and stepped away for a second, the thieves weren’t amateurs and were able to annihilate the GPS tracking device fitted to the $95,000 luxo-barge. Video report available after the break.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: WXYZ

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

What a Steal... Thieves Nab $94,000 BMW 7 Series at Detroit Motor Show

While we're done covering the automotive action from the main show floor of the Cobo Center, the Detroit Motor Show continues to make headlines, albeit for the wrong reasons. A BMW 750i xDrive (or 750iL xDrive) worth either $94,000 or $140,000 (depending on the news site....) was stolen near the Westin Book Cadillac in downtown Detroit. And what has that got to do with the Detroit Show, we hear you ask?

Well, the 7-Series was part of a fleet of BMW sedans that were used by the Bavarian automaker's executives and guests during the press days of the show. According to Police reports, the gray bimmer was being loaded into a transporter bound for New Jersey when the handler stepped away momentarily leaving the keys in the vehicle. That's when the crafty thieves stepped in and drove away with the 7er. Video report after the jump.

Source: 7Abc

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

Has the Detroit Motor Show Lost its Mojo?

With the U.S auto market catching momentum in 2010, most of us had high expectations for this year's edition of the North American International Auto Show. And while Porsche's comeback to the show after a four-year hiatus was a welcome addition, the absence of key players such as Nissan, Infiniti and Mazda continues to worry.

But even the companies that did take part in the show didn't really impress with their offerings. The fact that the first press day was more than enough for the participating [mainstream] brands to announce their new production and concept models at the Cobo Center, says a lot about this year's event.

In fact, if it weren't for the Koreans and Japanese, the 2011 Detroit Salon would have been as exciting as the Brussels motor show... Hyundai and Kia led the way with the Veloster and two more concept crossovers followed by Toyota which expanded its Prius family with a minivan and showcased a concept for a smaller hatchback model, while Honda revealed pre-production prototypes of its next generation Civic.

And how about Detroit's Big Three? Well, GM showed the new Buick Verano and Chevrolet Sonic(s) alongside a prototype version of the GMC Sierra. Ford displayed the Focus EV and hybrid variants of the C-MAX together with the oddly named Vertrek study, while Chrysler's stand featured the redesigned 300 and Mopar variants of the 200 sedan and Fiat 500. Where are the eye-popping American concept models? Where's Cadillac? Where's Lincoln?

The European or rather the German carmakers opted to keep most of their newcomers for the rapidly approaching Geneva Salon as the only noteworthy presentations concern the U.S. market 2012 VW Passat, Audi A6, BMW 1 Series M Coupe and 650i Convertible, MINI Paceman study and Porsche's 918 RSR Coupe concept.

And there you have it; in three short paragraphs the most notable debuts of the 2011 Detroit Show.

Economic woes aside, another reason that Detroit is steadily losing its role as one of the top players in the international motor show scene could be that many automakers are spreading their new model debuts over more shows in North America, namely the New York and Los Angeles events, both of which experienced increased numbers of world premieres in the past couple of years.

Share your thoughts about this year's edition of the Detroit Motor Show, and what you believe about its future in the comments section below.

By John Halas

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

The Ladies of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show

To be honest, we were expecting the 2011 Detroit Auto Show to be a much more glamorous event. Unfortunately, the press days offered little in terms of surprises, with manufacturers mostly flying under the radar or playing the tedious EV/hybrid card. Thank God for the ever smiling, curvaceous booth ladies, who ended up saving the day. Get a taste of some of the electrifying presences at this year’s NAIAS, in our gallery after the break.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Next Lincoln Models to get Unique Designs and Different Technology than Fords

According to an Automotive News report, future Lincoln vehicles will be heavily differentiated from their Ford counterparts, as the two brands will no longer share design cues and technology.

“The strategy isn't just new products, but full differentiation from the Ford brand in not only design, but in technology”, said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of global product development, on the sidelines of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

Mr. Kuzak also said that Ford would achieve this by modifying the existing platforms in order to create unique Lincoln products. That could be the case with Ford’s power steering or chassis electronic control, for example.

“Imagine adding suspension control to that and what would happen to the platform if you did that on Lincoln only”, he added.

Scott Tobin, Lincoln's director of product development, told Automotive News that future Lincoln products will have newly designed interiors, an extended V6 engine line-up and other features, such as paddle shifters and all-wheel drive systems, with no rear-wheel drive variants in the works.

Lincoln also plans to reorganize its dealer network by eliminating at least 200 franchises in the top 130 U.S. markets. Furthermore, remaining dealers must agree to thoroughly upgrade their facilities and implement other changes.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Autonews

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________