Again to the Way forward for Auto Reveals

February 2, 2026

33

As Kelley Blue E-book celebrates its one hundredth anniversary this yr, I’ve been excited about how individuals have purchased new vehicles over the previous century. For the reason that daybreak of the automotive age, the journey to new automotive possession usually begins at an auto present. How did auto exhibits begin? How have they developed over time? Does the auto present nonetheless serve a goal within the web age?

What Is an Auto Present?

After I speak about auto exhibits right here, I imply new automotive exhibits. These occasions are typically organized by regional new-car supplier associations and have shows from auto producers. They occur in large cities everywhere in the nation, usually coordinated on the calendar in order that the automotive makers can transfer their autos, shows, and personnel from present to indicate.

Though auto supplier associations set up the exhibits, they don’t promote vehicles at them. A contemporary auto present is a spot the place consumers and fanatics can see and contact new vehicles with out stress from a salesman. Producers’ representatives or subject-matter specialists are sometimes current to reply questions, hand out branded trinkets, and encourage individuals to share their contact data so a dealership can comply with up after the present — however no person is obligated to take action. In some cities, the annual auto present has turn into a household vacation ritual. In Phoenix, as an illustration, the Arizona Auto Present opens on Thanksgiving morning, and households line up when the doorways open.

The Beginning of the Auto Present

The primary main auto present in the US was the New York Auto Present in 1900. It featured 69 exhibitors displaying 160 autos and happened on the authentic Madison Sq. Backyard. In accordance with the present’s web site, 48,000 guests toured the present, which included gasoline, steam, and electrical vehicles.

The Evolution of the Auto Present

Again to the Way forward for Auto Reveals — Picture supplied by the Detroit Public Library, Nationwide Automotive Historical past Assortment.

Automobiles had been a novelty at first, and auto exhibits had been a wonderful method for individuals to get a take a look at the number of improvements the younger auto business was producing. Not like many commerce exhibits, which cater to their industries, auto exhibits have at all times relied on public consideration and attendance.

As such, auto exhibits have historically leaned on car debuts to seize press curiosity. On the New York Auto Present alone, the Ford Mannequin T debuted in 1909, Lincoln launched in 1921, and Common Motors launched Pontiac in 1926 (the identical yr Kelley Blue E-book debuted, coincidentally).

Over the many years, auto present occasions and shows grew extra elaborate and integrated parts of present enterprise. It wasn’t uncommon for main carmakers to launch their new fashions at an auto present with a musical quantity — usually written, produced, and choreographed by Broadway veterans — that includes dancers, actors, and musicians, and typically star appearances. I’ve seen loads of actors, athletes, and performers at automotive launches, and even some novelty acts.

Have you ever heard of Mini Kiss? They’re a Kiss tribute band made up solely of little individuals. The automotive model Mini introduced a mini-Mini Kiss live performance on the New York Auto Present across the launch of the Mini Cooper Countryman in 2011, paired with an look by three-quarters of the full-size, precise band Kiss in full make-up: Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley (Paul Stanley was out sick). It was unimaginable. Overkill, however unimaginable.

// 2.Load the IFrame Participant API code asynchronously.
var tag = doc.createElement(‘script’);
tag.src = “https://www.youtube.com/player_api”;
var firstScriptTag = doc.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)(0);
firstScriptTag.parentNode.insertBefore(tag, firstScriptTag);
var player_nsVp;
operate onYouTubePlayerAPIReady_nsVp() {
player_nsVp = new YT.Participant(‘ytplayer_nsVp’, {
peak: ‘100%’,
width: ‘100%’,
videoId: ‘6v6FGRSqqro’,
occasions: {
‘onReady’: onPlayerReady,
‘onStateChange’: onPlayerStateChange
}
});
var playerCheckInterval;
var mileStones = (25,50,75);
operate onPlayerStateChange(occasion) {
jQuery.coxAnalytics.onPlayerStateChange(occasion, mileStones, ‘editorial::video::’, {“car”:{“catalog”:”kbb”,”makeId”:””,”makeName”:””,”modelId”:””,”modelName”:””,”yr”:””}}, player_nsVp, ‘ytplayer_nsVp’);
}
operate onPlayerReady (occasion) {
jQuery.coxAnalytics.onPlayerReady(occasion, ‘ytplayer_nsVp’, ‘editorial::video::’, {“car”:{“catalog”:”kbb”,”makeId”:””,”makeName”:””,”modelId”:””,”modelName”:””,”yr”:””}});
}
}
operate onYouTubePlayerAPIReady() {
onYouTubePlayerAPIReady_nsVp();

}

Within the “Mad Males” period of the Sixties, many automakers used stunning feminine fashions in revealing outfits to showcase the options of their new automotive fashions. The follow hasn’t solely died out, however it’s a lot much less prevalent at immediately’s family-friendly occasions.

What May You See at an Auto Present In the present day?

The trendy auto present just isn’t as elaborate because it as soon as was, however it’s nonetheless a giant manufacturing. The automotive business crash of 2008 led to substantial cutbacks in automotive present budgets, with austere carpet-and-drapes ornament as a substitute of the flowery producer shows. Issues picked up within the 2010s, then took one other nosedive throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the present day, auto exhibits are on the rebound, thanks partially to a shift towards extra experiential shows and occasions. Stellantis’ common Camp Jeep driving expertise lets showgoers trip alongside in a Jeep model car by means of a difficult impediment course. Indoor driving tracks for electrical autos enable curious consumers to get a trip within the newest EVs — a first-time expertise for a lot of. Ford and different manufacturers convey skilled driving simulators for individuals to attempt, and a number of other corporations have demonstrated digital actuality (VR) driving and automotive design experiences.

Why Go to an Auto Present?

If you happen to love vehicles, I don’t must reply this query.

If you happen to don’t love vehicles, however you might be available in the market within the subsequent few years, an auto present is a good way to determine which vehicles attraction to you, what’s out there within the market, and to find out about pricing and worth – all with out worrying a couple of pushy gross sales skilled making you uncomfortable.

And who is aware of? Possibly you’ll be fortunate sufficient to fall in love with a automotive inside your finances. Or maybe you’ll get to see a efficiency by Mini Kiss.

Rock on!