Different Venues

• In the ensuing years after the inaugural event, the Detroit Auto Show hopped around to different venues as interest from spectators and auto manufacturers grew. Three years after its inception, the show was moved to Wayne Gardens--at the time, Detroit's largest venue. More than a decade later, it was again moved to the Morgan and Wright's Building. American auto makers, including the "big three"--Chrysler, Ford and General Motors--have long been a part of the show.
  
  

International Presence

• The 50-year celebration of the Detroit Auto Show was a pivotal point in the event's history. That year, the show was moved to the Detroit Artillery Armory. Auto companies from outside the United States also began showcasing their cars at the show. Manufacturers that year included Isetta, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo.
  
  

Current Venue

• In 1965, the shuffling ended, and the Detroit Auto Show landed at a venue it has called home for more than four decades--the Cobo Conference & Exhibition Center in the downtown area of the city. With exhibition space of more than a million square feet, Cobo is known as one of the largest exhibition centers in the world.
  
  

Name Change

• In a nod to the continued presence of automakers throughout the globe, the Detroit Auto Dealers Association made the decision in 1989 to rename the event the North American International Auto Show. Since then, such international manufacturers as Nissan and Toyota have used the show as a platform in the United States to unveil major product lines. According to the event website, more than 700 new concept and production vehicles have been introduced at the show.