Chicago Auto Show No. 105
Just after NewYear’s Day the Chicago Tribune
ran a story that originally was posted on the
Washington Post’s blog. It stated the auto industry
was responsible for most of the growth in the U.S.
economy in 2012. The story quoted a Credit Suisse
study that said in the frst quarter of 2012 the sales
of cars and trucks accounted for 30 percent of the
nation’s economic growth.
To that we say, “Wow, just when you thought the
industry had ‘jumped the shark,’ we come back with
a year like this one.”
Really, it doesn’t seem like a week goes by when
you hear some kind of end-of-the-line story for the
auto industry. Questions were posed during the
recent economic downturn as to whether the nation
needed its auto industry or was it so far past its
prime to be needed. 2012 certainly proved that the
auto industry is still a vital cog in the U.S. economy.
And we contend that Americans still love their
cars and trucks. Just watch Chicagoans turn out in
droves for the next 10 days to see the latest that the
industry has to offer. What will you see? Plenty!
Carmakers have long been accused of adopting
new technology at a snail’s pace, but as you will see
on the foor of the 105th Chicago
Auto Show, that argument has
never been weaker. All different
kinds of propulsion systems are
on display as the industry allows
you to vote on the future. All
the while, the good, old internal
combustion engine keeps getting
better. More fuel effcient and
more powerful? Sounds like a
contradiction in terms, but look
closely and you’ll fnd out it’s
true.
Advanced electronics in motor
vehicles have become so prevalent
that the annual Consumer
Electronics Show has become
another showcase for the auto
industry. That’s good news for
attendees of the Chicago Auto Show because all
those electronics make for really cool interactive
displays. This show has long been known for shiny
new sheet metal, but don’t pass too quickly by the
displays that illustrate these amazing electronic
advances.
So is this an old industry? Yes. Is history passing
it by? No way. With cars safer, cleaner and more
fuel effcient -- more technologically advanced --
than ever before, the industry is speeding into the
future.
If you see something you like, be sure to let your
friends know. Smartphones, cameras and social
media not only are allowed at the show, they are
encouraged. Automakers monitor social media
to measure your response to their products and
technology. Let them know what you think on the
Chicago Auto Show’s Facebook page and Pinterest
board and be sure to tag your tweets with #CAS13.
Shows don’t last more than a century by being
boring and stale. Chicagoans come back to this
show year after year because, like the industry it
showcases, it is new every time. Welcome to the
show – whether it’s your frst time or your 50th!
Chicago Auto Show General Manager Dave Sloan and Chicago Auto Show Chairman Mike Ettleson
More Than100,000 Veh i c l es Jus t A Cl i ck Away…Dr i veCh i cago. com
CHICAGO AUTO SHOW 2013
8