The Motor City pulls out all the stops this week with a series of high-profile events surrounding the opening of the Detroit Auto Show, back again in the season where it belongs and rich with attractions and exciting cars and trucks.
January in Detroit’s never been hotter.
The highest-profile automotive events rest on four tentpoles:
Here’s a more in-depth look at the week’s events:
The show floor at Huntington Place is set to host more brands and vehicles than in recent years, plus three tracks for vehicle ride-alongs and a new display of vehicles and gear for camping and overlanding.
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The Michigan Overland Adventure is a multibrand feature with custom-built vehicles, SUVs and equipment ranging from rooftop tents to recovery equipment and the latest technology. Brands represented will include Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Jeep, Ram, Toyota, INEOS, Subaru and AEV (American Expedition Vehicles).
“Across the industry, we’re seeing a real shift toward vehicles that are built for more than just getting from point A to point B,” said Detroit Auto Show Chair Todd Szott. “Michigan Overland Adventure taps directly into that momentum. It reflects how automakers — especially those with deep roots here in Detroit — are responding to consumer demand for capability, authenticity and vehicles that can take people further, whether that’s Up North, off the grid, or off the beaten path.”
Plus, there will be vehicles at the show that shoppers can’t see yet in dealerships:
Attractions not to miss in Huntington Place’s lower level:
Two charity fundraisers will provide an early look at the show: The Gallery the evening of Jan. 13, benefiting Forgotten Harvest, and the Charity Preview, which takes up the gauntlet Friday evening, Jan. 16.
Unlike previous auto shows, the Gallery’s ultra-cars will be on display throughout the show’s run — but fundraiser patrons will get access the rest of us can only imagine.
Brands at The Gallery will include:
One of Detroit’s signature events, the Charity Preview over the years has raised more than $125 million for children’s charities.
Top flight entertainment includes Detroit’s own Trick Trick and DJ Rimarkable — emceed by Jalen Rose (former NBA player and member of the University of Michigan’s “Fab Five”) — and multiplatinum recording artist Robin Thicke.
WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) will broadcast the event. Beneficiaries include Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, The Children’s Center, The Children’s Foundation, Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Detroit PAL and University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
Racing has been core to Ford’s identity for more than a century, but never more than today, as the automaker moves its annual motorsports day from Charlotte, North Carolina, to the bustling Michigan Central station innovation hub in Corktown.
“This year, we’re bringing it to our hometown,” said Mark Rushbrook, head of Ford Racing. “We want to be America’s racing team. Racing is at the core of all we do as a company. … Racing makes us smarter and better for our customers. We’re going to show people those linkages.”
The extravaganza kicks off with a media reveal of a new Ford Racing-badged production vehicle and CEO Farley discussing his vision for racing’s expanded role in the automaker’s vehicles.
Highlights will include:
Races and series represented:
Michigan Central Race Days, open to the public Jan.18-30, will have some of those vehicles. Others will be at the auto show and displayed in downtown Detroit.
GM’s new digs in the Hudson’s Detroit building — on the site of the fabled J.L. Hudson department store, natch — will also feature “Entrance One,” a display of GM’s latest vehicles and technologies that’s on the ground floor and accessible to the public. The display’s name stems from the employee entrance to the historic department store that stood on the site from 1911 ‘til 1998.
GM’s displays at the auto show will include Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC and the latest from its Super Cruise hands-free driving system.
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

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