Auto Industry Shifts Focus To Windy City
NOTE: For instant updates from the Chicago Auto Show, follow Jeff Gilbert's Twitter feed (@jefferygilbert) here.
CHICAGO -- (WWJ) The auto industry is feeling pretty sporty as the Chicago Auto Show opens today.
While the Chicago show doesn't have as many world debuts as the show in Detroit does, the major auto companies do save some surprises for one of the nation's largest car markets.
The show will feature the debut of a convertible version of Ford's Shelby GT-500 Mustang, as well as updated "Z" from Nissan. There are also reports that Volkswagen will show a diesel version of its new Beetle.
General Motors is using the Chicago Auto Show to unveil it's next generation of mid-size crossover vehicles. It will start with a new GMC Acadia.
With more traditional media concentrating on the Los Angeles and Detroit shows, Chicago is trying to build a niche with social media. They are dedicating a full day to bloggers and tweeters on Thursday.
"The show wants to utilize social media to the best of its advantage by helping manufacturers communicate with their "fans." We believe that getting the word out via any social media avenue can only advantage the Chicago Auto Show and the manufacturers," read a statement released by the show.
Toyota also hopes to use the Chicago show to get some momentum for a major product onslaught. Toyota's North America President Yoshimi Inaba will use a speech to the Chicago Economic Club to outline how the brand will put recalls, earthquakes and floods in the past, and move forward.
After preview days on Wednesday and Thursday, the Chicago Auto Show will open to the public on Friday.
Those media days are an opportunity for major automakers to do a lot of research into the interests of car buyers in America's heartland. Unlike the Detroit show, most of those attending the show in Chicago have no direct ties to the auto industry.
WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert is in Chicago covering the show. Listen for his reports on air, and come back to cbsdetroit.com for videos, photos and in depth coverage.
