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 November -- a move that puts it at the head of 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 first North American show certified by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobile (OICA), the NAIAS has been ideally positioned to showcase world-wide debuts. While the Chicago, New York and Los Angeles shows recently received OICA certification, the NAIAS is still the only domestic auto show to be distinguished by the organization as a "major international" show. In any event, the NAIAS is undoubtedly Detroit’s biggest event and will generate $500 Million for the city.
