The New York International Auto Show claims the largest attendance, and the Chicago Auto Show claims the largest show (in terms of square footage because it takes place in McCormick Place). The Los Angeles Auto Show doesn’t claim the biggest, largest or most of anything, but it does claim to have the most momentum after strategically moving its show from January to December so it would lead the auto show line up.
Detroit’s show, however, takes place in the Motor City, the recognized home of the big three auto manufacturers. While the “big three” title may be slipping a bit from GM, Ford and Chrysler, Detroit is still home to a large segment of the auto industry. Detroit's auto show, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), also has the most world-wide production and concept car debuts. In fact, Edmund’s Inside Line calls the NAIAS “the single biggest event in the automotive world.”
As the only North American show certified by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobile (OICA), the NAIAS has been ideally positioned to showcase world-wide debuts. This international distinction may soon be challenged by the Chicago, New York and Los Angeles shows, however, as each recently received OICA certification. In any event, the NAIAS is undoubtedly Detroit’s biggest event and will generate $500 Million for the city.
