Eight-year-old Aaron Wolnowski Jr. came to the 2026 Detroit Auto Show to drive a car.
He has loved cars since he was 3, and made a top-10 list before his first time in the showroom at Huntington Place. Test driving a car topped the list, he told the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, on Saturday, Jan. 17. At 8, he won’t be able to drive, but he was excited to take a ride as he stood in line for the Ford Bronco test track.
“I’ve never seen all these cars in my life,” Wolnowski said.
His dad, Aaron Wolnowski Sr., 35, of Lincoln Park, works at a plant that makes Broncos and said he was excited to bring his son, who became interested in autos after watching the movie Cars. Wolnowski Jr. can name many kinds of cars when he sees them on the street, his dad said.
The Wolnowskis were among thousands of people that filed into the show on the first day open to the public.
Auto enthusiasts, friends and generations of families came to check out, sit in and get the feel of the latest models of cars like the GMC Sierra EV Elevation, Chrysler Voyager LX and everything in between. More than 40 brands showcased hundreds of cars.
Nick Hernandez, 31, of Sterling Heights, came with his friends who are part of the Autopians, readers of the car culture website theautopian.com.
“I’m just here to have fun and see the cars,” he said.
He has been regularly attending since 2015. He said the show is not as big as it used to be and said Saturday that he hopes to see more brands and “signs that the show is not declining.”
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Jim Johnson, 73, of Madison Heights, and Steve Brune, 65, of West Bloomfield, come annually with a group of brother-in-laws and one nephew.
“We come in early to see the new cars, and we like them. It’s definitely worth the trip,” Johnson said. “What else can you do with 30 degrees and snow up to your knees?”
“We’re a little disappointed that it seems to keep getting a little smaller every year, but it’s still worth coming down to see the new stuff,” Brune said.
Fabi Enriquez, 30, came with her family from Grand Rapids to see the Detroit Auto Show for the first time. She and her dad, Jorge Enriquez, 57, said their favorite part of the show is the General Motors cars.
“To look at all the latest ones with all the detailing, it’s pretty exciting,” Fabi Enriquez said.
The 2026 Detroit Auto Show is open to the public through Jan. 25. Information about how to buy tickets can be found here.
Contact Natalie Davies: ndavies@freepress.com.

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