DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit auto show, which opens to the public Jan. 18 after a week of media and industry previews, dates to 1907, when a group of dealers held a show in a city park.
The show was largely a regional event showcasing Detroit automakers until 1989, when the name was changed to the North American International Auto Show and Toyota and Nissan used it to introduce their new luxury brands.
The annual event has since grown to be one of most important shows on the auto industry’s calendar. Last year, more than 795,000 people — including 5,200 journalists from around the world — attended the show. This year, at least 50 new vehicles will make their debut.
