Jalopnik: cobo

Detroit Taxi Numbered "666" Crashes Into Cobo Hall, Second Carpocalypse Nigh?

Ben Wojdyla — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EDT

Thought the Carpocalypse was winding down? Saturday night a Detroit taxi ominously numbered "666" crashed into Cobo Hall, where the fully-booked (with boring cars) Detroit Auto Show will kick-off in January. Carpocalypse Two: Electric Car Boogaloo? [DetNews]

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]

NAIAS May Leave Detroit If Organizers Don't Get Cobo Expansion

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EDT

The complaints about the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) staged yearly in January in Detroit fall into three categories A) it's in January B) It's in Detroit and C) Cobo Hall is just too small for the event. Well after the plan was announced to expand Cobo Hall by some 120,000 square feet, the organizers are concerned the politicians in Lansing will be politicians and fail to deliver the goods on the deal. Such fears are leading to statements from show chair Joe Serra like "We want to keep it here, but time has run out."

The Detroit News has an in depth article stating show officials are considering selling the rights for the show to Chicago or just shopping it around to other cities. Perhaps talk like this is only meant to light a fire under Lansing's butt, but the idea of losing the NAIAS sure would be a boot to the neck for the local economy. [DetNews]

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]