Slip into a Jeep for a quick
trip up, over, and down an 8-foot
high dirt hill. When the stomach
catches up to the rest of the body,
pause for some auto show fudge
before checking out the hundreds
of other vehicles either standing
still or motoring around McCormick Place.
Once again it’s Chicago Auto Show time, and the
sheer size of McCormick Place allows manufactur-
ers to display all their new vehicles and all their new
technology, plus lets consumers slip into assorted
machines for jaunts within the exhibit halls to expe-
rience the hardware up close and personal — as well
as in motion.
The auto industry had a good year in 2013 and is
counting on 2014 to do equally as well, as evidenced
by the automakers having filled the South and North
halls of McCormick Place. There’s a cornucopia of
new products to generate interest among consumers
and ensure they are put in the mood to visit a dealer-
ship to buy one. The fact that McCormick Place
South and North provide more than 1 million square
feet of exhibit space, making Chicago the largest
in size among all auto shows in North America, it al-
lows the industry plenty of room to spread its legs.
And the industry is obviously counting on the
show to keep sales momentum from 2013 continu-
ing through 2014 by increasing its physical footprint
of exhibits. General Motors, for example, has almost
100,000 square feet of exhibit space, the largest
display it offers at any show in North America.
Nissan has added 10,000 square feet more exhibit
space than last year, Subaru 7,000 more square feet,
Porsche about 2,000 more square feet while Mase-
rati, absent in ’13, has taken 4,000 square feet to
spotlight its wares for 2014.
“With the opportunity for more display space in
Chicago, we have the opportunity to show more
depth and breadth of our product line than at any
other show in the country,” said Grace Morgan,
director of Global Auto Shows, Exhibits and Events
for General Motors. “We can show our full spec-
trum of product and trim levels as well as specialty
vehicles that showcase aftermarket accessories (such
as high performance renditions of Corvette and
Camaro) or themed vehicles for movies (such as the
Camaro Bumble Bee at the 2009 auto show adapted
from the “Transformers” movie) or even a few of
our fleet vehicles. At the Chicago show, we are able
to really connect with the consumer in a terrific
way with not only our full product line, but through
various engagement activities, including a ride and
drive.”
Last year GM allowed consumers to drive the new
Cadillac ATS just outside the show, to experience
the ride and handling of its new small, all-wheel-
drive luxury sedan. This year, Morgan said, “Con-
sumers will be able to take rides in the
all-new full-size Chevy Silverado and
GMC Sierra outside McCormick.”
“The availability of floor space at
McCormick means Chicago is our
largest corporate auto show,” said GM
spokesman Fred Ligouri. “In addition
to Buick, Cadillac, Chevy and GMC
vehicles, the size allows us to bring
together the smaller displays we have
at other shows into a much larger
By Jim Mateja
Freelance Automotive Legend
Nation’s Largest Show: More Space Means More Fun
CHICAGO AUTO SHOW 2014
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More Than100,000 Veh i c l es Jus t A Cl i ck Away…Dr i veCh i cago. com