Jalopnik: cobo center

Chinese Automakers Invade The Main Floor Of Detroit Auto Show

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:30:00 EST

After years of skirmishing in the basement of the Cobo Center, the Chinese automakers will finally set up a base on the main floor of the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. Why were the two Chinese companies, BYD Auto and Brilliance Auto, honored with the presence among the big boys upstairs? It isn't because they're selling more cars in the US, because they still don't sell any here. The Chinese automakers are benefiting from the mass exodus of automakers from the Detroit show who are bailing to save money during the Carpocalypse. We suspect the organizers thought it would be a nice gesture since China currently holds around $600 billion in US debt. The two companies will get a total of 11,000 square feet vacated by Mitsubishi. Though we hate to see any automaker flee Detroit, there are a few reasons to look forward to a larger Chinese presence. Below is our list of the five best moments of Chinese automakers at the Detroit Auto Show.

5. Travis Exploits The Book Of Songs
We have the Chinese to thank for showing us their Book of Songs and letting Travis hump it.

4. Press Release Translations
For some reason, the Chinese automakers refuse to hire US-based PR people to smooth out the edges. Hilarity ensues.

3. An Honorary Degree
Had it not been for Changfeng Motors, Mike would never have gotten that honorary degree from Liebro University.

2. Lead-Tainted Tea Time
Unlike the American manufacturers, with their typical matchbox car and backpack swag, the Chinese automakers hand out some intense swag.

1. Illegal Test Drive Through Cobo Hall
If it weren't for the Chinese, we'd have never learned how fast you can drive inside Cobo or had the chance to disrupt an ALMS press conference. In a hybrid!

[AutoNews, Photo ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images]

Detroit Auto Show: Michigan Plans To Expand Cobo Convention Center

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:15:00 EST

The Cobo Center, home to the Detroit Auto Show, provides approximately $600 million annually to the local economies, with much of that money coming from the show itself. With that in mind, state and local officials are working on a plan to spend $595 million to expand and renovate the center. This change would include adding an additional 120,000 square feet, which would create room for even more automakers (C'mon Tata, show us your Nanos). We're supportive of the idea, if only to create space for more surprise Chinese test drives and booth babes. [AP via MLive]

If the Navigator's A-Rockin': Necking at Cobo

kmcgilvery — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 14:10:53 EST

We hate to be the ones to break it to you, but remember those times when your parents said they were going grocery shopping, but didn't come home for five hours? Well, we have it on good authority that they were really parked at Lookout Point, making out in the Astro. The Detroit News claims this delinquent behavior is still happening, and sent several couples to field test SUVs on display at Cobo, to see which ones are best equipped to handle a hot 'n' heavy makeout session. One woman said of the Ford Escape, "We know about parking, and this is a good car to go parking in or to the drive-in."

Backseat lovin': Couples visiting the auto show see which cars have the best space for ... um ... you know [Detroit News]

Related: Street is Neat: Automotive Anthropology [internal]

Naked on a Challenger: Update

kmcgilvery — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 13:30:32 EST

The woman who posed on the Challenger concept car Monday morning may have been drugged by the men who photographed her, reports a Detroit TV station. She has retained an attorney and may be considering filing a lawsuit. One of the men involved in the incident was an electrician who worked for Metro Services, a subcontractor for the Auto Show.

Report: Naked Woman At Auto Show Drugged [Local 4]

Related: She's Naked on a Challenger [internal]

She's Naked on a Challenger

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 09:00:28 EST

A reader came through with a shot taken during the naked photo shoot cops in Detroit busted up at the Cobo Center this past Monday night. As you can see from the bepixled image, enlarged from postage-stamp size, she's naked and that's definitely the Challenger concept. Now we can get some sleep. [Thanks, Tim.] [UPDATE: Crap! It's a Fake!]

After-Hours Dodge Lust: Nude Woman Poses With Challenger Concept at Detroit Show

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 10:30:52 EST

Someone want to explain to us how a woman snuck into the Cobo center in Detroit Monday night, posed nude on the Dodge Challenger concept — surrounded by gawkers with cameraphones — and we did not get a single photo in our inbox? C'mon people, this is a give and take thing here. If you've got the shots, don't hold on to them — send 'em over. It's entirely for research purposes; we just want to make sure something like this doesn't happen again. Think of the children. tips@jalopnik.com.

Challenger buff bares it all inside auto show [The Detroit News]

Related:
Naked Auto Mall: Nude Parts [internal]