Schedule, highlights, cars to see

The Detroit Auto Show is going back to its roots. After more than a generation when it often seemed like automakers cared more if they made the morning news than whether the show sold any new cars, the 2025 Detroit Auto Show is all about customers looking for new wheels ― but with some entertaining surprises.

The show floor at Huntington Place on Detroit’s riverfront will hold everything from exotic super cars to brand new levels of performance from local heroes like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Corvette, not to mention electric vehicles that deliver affordability and head-snapping performance, and the newly crowned 2025 vehicles of the year.

In a first, automotive lifestyle group Hagerty plans a special exhibit where people will be able to watch an engine being built starting Jan. 15. Other attractions include cars made famous in movies and TV, and a selection of Detroit’s most influential and beloved creations.

It’s a dramatic change from the days when automakers spent millions of dollars at the auto show mounting flashy news conferences to introduce new vehicles and technologies ― many of which wouldn’t actually go on sale for months or years. Those days are over, returning auto shows to their original purpose: checking out the cars, SUVs, and trucks you can get today, comparing prices and features ― with a side order of famous and exotic vehicles to admire and dream about.

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Back home in January

As exciting as the vehicles and attractions are, the best news may be the show’s return to its traditional January time frame, after a several-year interruption by the pandemic and a flirtation with scheduling in the fall, when ― let’s be honest ― we all had other things to do.

Displays will stretch from the traditional show floor to the lower River Level.

More:How Detroit auto dealers plan to make their annual show special, even if it’s not as big

The schedule at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit includes:

The revelation of the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the year: 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10.
The Charity Preview, black-tie event benefiting six children’s charities, with entertainment by multiplatinum recording artist and hip-hop icon Flo Rida: 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Jan. 10.
Public days: Jan. 11-20.
Industry days with exclusive show floor access: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 15-16.
Global Mobility and Future Leaders forums: Jan. 15-16.
Racing Day, presented by the Detroit Grand Prix: Jan. 17.

“We’re delighted to have these extraordinary vehicles to share with audiences, in partnerships with our local metro Detroit dealerships and enthusiasts’ community,” auto show chair Karl Zimmermann said. “What better way to roar back to January than with a robust lineup of nameplates, including uber-luxury vehicles and spectacular supercars.”

2025 Detroit auto show highlights

Four indoor test tracks
34 brands represented on the show floor
Exotic and luxury vehicles in The Gallery
150-plus modified cars and trucks
Hagerty presents an engine being built
Racing Day with the Detroit Grand Prix
Detroit -based DJs on main floor during public days
Tickets are available at detroitautoshow.com

Will the cars I’m interested in be there?

After a couple of years when some popular brands skipped the show, expect displays from all the major volume and luxury players ― and a first-ever collection of modified cars, whose owners and creators will be on hand for the lowdown.

For the first time, the Modded Detroit enthusiast group and streetwear brand will be in the house with everything from tuner cars and lifted trucks to super cars and classics.

“Show visitors are going to see some high-octane creativity and will even have a chance to talk with owners of these fascinating rides,” Zimmermann said. “This collaboration really highlights the Motor City’s love affair with the vehicles we drive, and it gives us an opportunity to spotlight the immensely talented car enthusiasts within our community.”

Automakers and their local dealers with stands will include:

Alfa Romeo
BMW
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Fiat
Ford
GMC
Honda
Hyundai
Ineos
Jeep
Kia
Lincoln
Mazda
Mercedes-Benz
Ram
Toyota
Volkswagen

Other noteworthy events include eight Detroit-based DJs performing on the main stage during public days.

A new collaboration with the Michigan Science Center will deliver kid-friendly engineering and science, technology and math activities.

“The Michigan Science Center is a true gem and one of Detroit’s cornerstone organizations,” auto show co-executive director Sam Klemet said. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with them on this exciting and impactful educational initiative. The Detroit Auto Show celebrates innovation. This is a fantastic opportunity to ignite a passion for learning and automotive innovation, placing our future automotive trailblazers right at the heart of science and technology with these hands-on experiences.”

Rev up for Racing Day

The Detroit Grand Prix Indy racing weekend, scheduled for May 30-June 1 on the streets surrounding Huntington Place, is sponsoring a couple of interactive displays in the concourse area for the run of the show and Racing Day, Jan. 17.

One of the indoor tracks will incorporate elements of the track, including examples of how automotive engineering and motor sports complement each other on Racing Day. A pair of Chevrolet Corvette E-Rays ― the famous sports car’s first model to offer all-wheel drive or hybrid power ― will be featured on Racing Day.

Drivers, including back-to-back Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, will be present on Racing Day.

“The growth in IndyCar awareness, the cars and their star drivers should be a great addition to the Auto Show with its return to its traditional January time frame,” said Brian Baker, M1 Concourse festival and events director.

Stars from street and screen

A display of vehicles from favorite movies and TV shows will feature originals and replicas, including:

“Austin Powers, the Spy Who Shagged Me”: VW Beetle Swinger 2.
“National Lampoon’s Family Vacation”: Griswold’s Wagon Queen Family Truckster.
“Magnum P.I.”: Rosso Corsa red Ferrari 308 G.
“Knight Rider”: Pontiac Firebird Trans Am KITT.
“Jurassic Park”: Jeep Wrangler.

In addition to those stars provided by Hagerty, classic and muscle car dealer Vanguard Motors is exhibiting legendary Detroit vehicles from the 1920s to 2000s, including:

1923 Ford 5-Window Coupe Street Rod “American Graffiti Build.”
1949 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible.
1958 Chevrolet Impala.
1964 Ford Mustang Convertible.
1965 Pontiac GTO Convertible.
1965 Shelby Cobra Superformance.
1967 Ford Mustang Fastback.
1970 Chevrolet Camaro.
1970 Dodge Charger R/T
1971 Chevrolet K-20 4×4 Pickup.
1979 Ford Bronco.
2009 Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR.

Exotic and luxury vehicles in The Gallery

The Gallery exhibition of luxury and exotics will include more than 50 vehicles from metro Detroit dealers and owners’ collocations, including:

Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
Ferrari
Jaguar
Lamborghini
Lotus
Maserati
McLaren
Morgan
Porsche
Rolls-Royce

The vehicles will be present throughout the 11-day show.

Charity Preview benefits local kids

With more than $125 million raised since 1976, the auto show’s Charity Preview has become the region’s biggest fundraiser and event to see, and at which to be seen. Guests in formal wear have free access to the show from the 5 p.m. ribbon cutting until 9 p.m.

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.
University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

The event concludes with a performance by Miami-based rapper Flo Rida, leaving guests plenty of time to enjoy dinner and drinks throughout downtown Detroit.

Tickets are still available at https://detroitautoshow.com/charity-preview-tickets/.

Four indoor test tracks for SUVs, EVs and racing

The one hit feature from the show’s fall tenure returns: Four indoor test tracks will demonstrate everything from modern SUVs’ gravity-defying capability to electric vehicles’ immediate and silent power.

The tracks:

Camp Jeep returns with off-roading demos of the plug-in hybrid Wrangle Rubicon 4xe and Grand Cherokee Summit L.
The Ford Bronco Built Wild track adds a pair of daunting new obstacles: Rock Crawl and Tilt Ridge.
Powering Michigan presents demos of electric vehicles from BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet GMC and Rivian.
Detroit Grand Prix-themed track, with internal combustion, hybrid and battery vehicles, including the all-wheel-drive Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray hybrid on Racing Day.