Detroit Could Lose Auto Show

A city steeped in uncertainty surrounding the bankruptcy of General Motors has something else to worry about: loss of the North American International Auto Show.

Detroit has been the premier international show for vehicle debuts, but if the debate over the ownership and renovation of Cobo Center, where the show is held, is not resolved by the end of July, the 2011 auto show could leave Detroit for the suburbs of Oakland County, said Douglass R. Fox, co-chairman of the auto show.

“We need to bring this to closure,” Mr. Fox said. “We need to know where we’re going.”

Mr. Fox explained that Cobo is too small and too expensive to maintain the Detroit auto show’s status. He said the same thing recently at a State Senate subcommittee hearing on legislation to establish a regional authority to renovate and manage Cobo. via