Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Cobo Hall expansion reportedly cleared, paving way for NAIAS to stay in Motor City]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/cobo-hall-expansion-cleared-paving-way-for-naias-to-stay-in-mot/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/cobo-hall-expansion-cleared-paving-way-for-naias-to-stay-in-mot/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/cobo-hall-expansion-cleared-paving-way-for-naias-to-stay-in-mot/#commentsFiled under: ,



It's been a long road with more than its fair share of protracted negotiations and questionable decisions along the way, but the Detroit City Council has finally cleared the path for Cobo Hall to get the much-needed expansion, repairs and ongoing maintenance it's deserved for years. By choosing not to vote on the plan at all, the Council will allow Cobo Hall to be turned over on lease to a regional authority that will oversee the building's day-to-day operations. Says Council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr.:
I know this has been an emotional issue and a controversial issue. But it's real simple: We don't have the money to do this on our own. This thing is a go, and it's something they should be happy about. It's going to allow us to re-position Cobo to make it competitive, to secure the (North American International) Auto Show and attract other kinds of convention business.
With this potential roadblock out of the way, it now seems likely that the North American International Auto Show will indeed stay in the Detroit - assuming, of course, that the world's collection of automakers is willing to continue making the annual trek to the Motor City in January.

[Source: Detroit News]

Cobo Hall expansion reportedly cleared, paving way for NAIAS to stay in Motor City originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cobo centercobo detroitcobo expansioncobo hallcobo hall expansioncobo renovationsCoboCenterCoboDetroitCoboExpansionCoboHallCoboHallExpansionCoboRenovationsdetroit auto showdetroit city councilDetroitAutoShowDetroitCityCouncilnorth american international auto showNorthAmericanInternationalAutoShowWed, 29 Jul 2009 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19112303/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/29/cobo-hall-expansion-cleared-paving-way-for-naias-to-stay-in-mot/19112303/article-detail.xml 19112303 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/cobo-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/cobo-630.jpg <![CDATA[REPORT: North American International Auto Show likely to move out of Detroit, see other people]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/REPORT-North-American-International-Auto-Show-likely-to-move-out-of-Detroit-see-other-people/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/REPORT-North-American-International-Auto-Show-likely-to-move-out-of-Detroit-see-other-people/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/REPORT-North-American-International-Auto-Show-likely-to-move-out-of-Detroit-see-other-people/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In car-related news that will further disappoint an already reeling city, the chairman of Detroit's North American International Auto Show has gone on record that he is exploring ways to move the event out of the city.

The very public battle to expand the show's home, Motown's Cobo Center appears to have failed for good, after the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Detroit City Council, in effect killing plans for a $288 million expansion, a plan voted down by council members in February. For his part, city mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. is evidently declining to go to the state Supreme Court to force the issue.

So now, the search is on to take the show to a new venue, likely beyond Detroit's city limits, and potentially beyond the bounds of Southeast Michigan, as well. Automotive News quotes auto show co-chair Douglass Fox as saying:
At this point we need to consider any viable option that might be out there for us... There have been leaders -- (Oakland County Executive) L. Brooks Patterson comes to mind - who have made those overtures. We need to explore those options.
Fox and his team are expected to move quickly, but given the scope of the planning required for a major international auto show, it is perhaps likely that the NAIAS will still be hosted by Cobo next January. Beyond that, though, the city of Detroit looks set to witness yet another auto-related casualty.

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req]

REPORT: North American International Auto Show likely to move out of Detroit, see other people originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cobo CenterCobo HallCoboCenterCoboHallDetroit City CouncilDetroitCityCouncilKen CockrelKenCockrelNAIASNorth American Itnerioantl Auto ShowNorthAmericanItnerioantlAutoShowFri, 17 Apr 2009 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1520659/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/17/REPORT-North-American-International-Auto-Show-likely-to-move-out-of-Detroit-see-other-people/1520659/article-detail.xml 1520659 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/cobo_580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/cobo_580.jpg <![CDATA[Michigan's Oakland County to grab NAIAS from Cobo?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/michigans-oakland-county-to-grab-naias-from-cobo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/michigans-oakland-county-to-grab-naias-from-cobo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/michigans-oakland-county-to-grab-naias-from-cobo/#commentsFiled under: ,



We can't blame Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson one bit for thinking the North American International Auto Show might be better served by moving locations away from Detroit's troubled Cobo Center. The building itself has been in disrepair for years, with a leaky roof and a poor electrical system generally cited as its most urgent needs. When an agreement was finally reached that would have fixed most of Cobo's many woes and expanded it with an additional 166,000 square-feet of floorspace, we all let out a collective sigh of relief.

Unfortunately, in what our own John McElroy called "a stupefying move at the 11th hour," the Detroit City Council voted down the proposed plan by a five-to-three tally, saying that the $20 million the city would be paid to give up power over the dilapidated building wasn't enough. Naturally, this action drew ire from a number of important sources, not the least of which being the automakers who are growing increasingly fed up about the horrid state of affairs at the Detroit Auto Show.

Here's where Patterson comes into play: "If this thing goes down, I'm done," Patterson has told The Detroit News. "I'm not going to go back to Detroit to try to resurrect the deal. Five years is enough." Unfortunately, Patterson's plan to move the annual event to another location in the Detroit area has a few potential snags of its own. The next largest nearby venue is the Pontiac Silverdome, which is about two-thirds the size and has been empty since the Detroit Lions left the stadium in 2002.

And what does the embattled Detroit City Council have to say about Patterson's proclamations? "He's bullying us as usual... he just wants everything on his own terms" says councilwoman Barbara-Rose Collins.

This is one sordid affair that seems likely to drag on for years with no end in sight.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Michigan's Oakland County to grab NAIAS from Cobo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cobocobo centercobo hallCoboCenterCoboHallDetroitdetroit auto showdetroit city councilDetroitAutoShowDetroitCityCouncilNAIASNorth American International Auto ShowNorthAmericanInternationalAutoShowOakland CountyOaklandCountyTue, 31 Mar 2009 18:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1502919/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/03/31/michigans-oakland-county-to-grab-naias-from-cobo/1502919/article-detail.xml 1502919 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/cobo_580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/cobo_580.jpg <![CDATA[German brands will attend Detroit Auto Show for at least one more year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/02/german-brands-will-attend-detroit-auto-show-for-at-least-one-mor/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/02/german-brands-will-attend-detroit-auto-show-for-at-least-one-mor/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/02/german-brands-will-attend-detroit-auto-show-for-at-least-one-mor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Regardless of their displeasure with the cost, size and quality of Cobo Hall in Detroit, executives from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have committed to at least one more round of exhibits at the annual North American International Auto Show held at the venue each January. The German automakers occupy serious square footage at the show, and the exhibits generate much needed jobs and revenue, so the news was obviously welcomed by show officials.

As automakers scale back and exit auto shows due to the economy, or rethink marketing strategies as new markets in India, Russia, and Brazil open up, the big traditional auto shows (such as those in Detroit and Tokyo) are feeling the pressure. The latest news is that Tokyo's show is now on the verge of cancellation with the departure of Detroit's three automakers. While the Germans returning for NAIAS 2010 is welcomed news, the underlying message is that local officials (and the Detroit city council) are going to have to work even harder to save the show for 2011.

[Source: Freep.com]

German brands will attend Detroit Auto Show for at least one more year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMWDetroit Auto ShowDetroit City CounciDetroit City CouncilDetroitAutoShowDetroitCityCounciDetroitCityCouncilmercedes-benzNAIASnorth american inter...north american international auto shownorth american international auto show educationnorth american international auto show education dayNorthAmericanInter...NorthAmericanInternationalAutoShowNorthAmericanInternationalAutoShowEducationNorthAmericanInternationalAutoShowEducationDayTokyo Auto ShowTokyoAutoShowVolkswagenMon, 02 Mar 2009 19:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1475424/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/03/02/german-brands-will-attend-detroit-auto-show-for-at-least-one-mor/1475424/article-detail.xml 1475424 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/cobo_580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/cobo_580.jpg <![CDATA[The Amazingly Stupid Detroit City Council - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/27/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/27/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/27/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/#commentsFiled under: ,


Nobody reading this blog needs to be told how much trouble Detroit is in. Whether it's the Detroit Three, the city of Detroit, or the greater Detroit area, the story's the same: we're in trouble!

One of the very few events that provides positive media coverage for Detroit every year is the North American International Auto Show. I'd rate it as one of the top three auto shows in the world. It brings in thousands of members of the media, as well as executives from automakers and suppliers in Europe and Asia. They fill up every hotel for a 40-mile radius. Thanks to the exhibits that get built, the special events that are held, all the restaurant meals that are ordered and all the taxi rides needed to get around, the show brings in a half billion dollars of desperately needed economic activity every year.

The show is held in Cobo Hall, which was built in 1960. Everyone has known for years that it needs to be renovated and expanded, but that's going to take several hundred millions of dollars and the city is broke.

So it's taken years to carefully craft a deal that involves the governor, the state Senate and House, three different county executives, as well as the mayor and the city council of Detroit. But in a stupefying move at the 11th hour, the city council voted 5 to 3 to reject the deal.

John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

Continue reading The Amazingly Stupid Detroit City Council - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

The Amazingly Stupid Detroit City Council - Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autolineautoline dailyautoline detroitautoline on autoblogAutolineDailyAutolineDetroitAutolineOnAutoblogcobo hallCoboHalldetroitdetroit auto showdetroit city councilDetroitAutoShowDetroitCityCouncilfeaturedjohn mcelroyJohnMcelroynorth american international auto showNorthAmericanInternationalAutoShowFri, 27 Feb 2009 19:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1474277/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/02/27/autoline-on-autoblog-with-john-mcelroy/1474277/article-detail.xml 1474277 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/john-media-photo-3-opta_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/john-media-photo-3-opta.jpg <![CDATA[GM wants tax incentives to build Volt in Detroit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/03/gm-wants-tax-incentives-to-build-volt-in-detroit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/03/gm-wants-tax-incentives-to-build-volt-in-detroit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/03/gm-wants-tax-incentives-to-build-volt-in-detroit/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click on the above image for a high-res gallery of the Volt Concept

With both hands extended, General Motors has asked Detroit City Council members for tax breaks to ensure the highly-anticipated hybrid electric-powered Chevrolet Volt will be built in their city. This news comes on the heels of GM asking Congress for a tax break to ensure the price remains near $30,000 when it arrives in showrooms in 2010. Enough already. Stuck in the turmoil of a $38 billion loss last year, pending job cuts, UAW strikes, and in the midst of an economy favoring fuel-efficient vehicles (as pickups and SUVs roll down the assembly line), GM is scrambling to survive. Whether it arrives as a hybrid, or in all-electric versions, the Chevrolet Volt can't come to market soon enough... regardless of who GM panhandles.

Gallery: Chevy Volt Concept

[Source: The Detroit News]

GM wants tax incentives to build Volt in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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