• by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, December 14, 2016

It’s mid-December, so that means it’s time to start gearing up for the 2017 Detroit auto show, officially known as the North American International Auto Show or, if that’s too much of a mouthful, simply NAIAS. 

Press days are scheduled for Jan. 9 - 10 and there are some big reveals on tap, including a new crossover from Infiniti, the next-generation Toyota Camry, the Lexus LS sedan and possibly the new Mercedes E-Class Coupe and BMW 5-Series. For something a little out of the ordinary, Disney and Pixar will reveal an early look at their upcoming summer film “Cars 3” while debuting a life-size version of one of the film's animated stars.

I’ve already received my pre-approved registration prompt via email for April’s New York Auto Show, home to MediaPost’s Marketing:Automotive conference and awards. In between Detroit and New York is the Chicago show, traditionally held in early February on the days that the Windy City has its most wintry weather of the year. That’s often the case for Detroit, too, come to think of it. Other than the pain of getting to and from Cobo Center and McCormick Place in sometimes horrific snowstorms, it’s not a big deal since we are stuck indoors for the 12- to 14-hour days. 

A show that’s been getting more attention for autos is CES in Las Vegas. Formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, it is the world’s largest technology convention. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reportedly will reveal a fully electric vehicle based on the Chrysler Pacifica minivan as the carmaker moves to get in step with the industry’s shift toward EVs, according to Bloomberg. Media-only days, when the reveal is most likely to take place, are Jan. 3 - 4. 

As if the CES usurp isn’t a big enough slap to the Detroit auto show organizers, The Detroit News reports that show organizers say Fiat Chrysler will not hold a press reveal of any new or refreshed vehicle at the Detroit show for the first time since 2010. An FCA spokeswoman told me today they continue to decline comment on CES or auto show plans at this time. 

If they truly do not reveal anything new in Detroit, it will be a serious bummer for reporters because Chrysler has long been known for some of the best auto-show theatrics. I will never forget the 1992 media days when then-Chrysler President Bob Lutz unveiled the new Jeep Grand Cherokee by driving it through a plate-glass window on the way to the display stand. Jeep reprised the stunt with the Wrangler at the 2006 Detroit show, but it didn’t elicit quite the jaw-drop as the Lutz performance.

Detroit’s legendary long-term Mayor Coleman Young was riding shotgun with Lutz during that first crash. They drove the Jeep a few miles down Jefferson Avenue from the plant, up the stairs to the front of Cobo, and through the glass. Oh, to have been a piece of lint on the headliner during that ride. If you haven’t seen the video, you must. It’s truly epic. 

It really shouldn’t be a surprise that CES has become a very important show for carmakers, which tend to debut high-tech models with electric drive, connected features or autonomous driving at that event. Last year, General Motors showed the Chevrolet Bolt EV there and Ford revealed updates to its infotainment systems and developments in its push toward autonomous driving. BMW AG, Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit and Volkswagen AG also have presented vehicles with new technology ideas in Las Vegas. 

We will have to wait and see what the automakers have planned for the next several months in terms of which shows will get which reveals. But one thing is for certain, automotive reporters will be busy.