Auto shows give the media time to preview manufacturers' new models and they give the public several days to ponders at least two things. They can further study the new car they're about to purchase or have a wont to buy. Or, they can dream about and stare at cars they'll never own.
Cars shows in the United Sates as well throughout North America, Europe and Asia are also are also well-known for the tradition of having sexy models, present the cars and represent the brands as ambassadors.
There are regional car shows and national events. Carmakers take diverse approaches, some subtle, others with elaborate displays. Automakers also try to outdo each other the debuting car descriptions and there are often various guest speakers and awards presented.
Automakers also try to pick the proper time of the year to debut their new styles and concepts vehicles. It's why the first major show of the year, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), often called the Detroit Auto Show, gets so much attention.
Not only is the show in Detroit, the 24th year event is the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world.
Car shows charge admission, of course, with the exception of media and VIP attendees. Times and dates of shows may vary from advertised details. Check car shows' websites for exact show times as well as various rules and regulations.
Here's theweeklydriver.com's list of the top-10 car show in 2012:
January, 2012
January 5-8
Silicon Valley International Auto Show
San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, California
www.SVAutoShow.com
January 9-22, 2012
North American International
Auto Show (NAIAS)
Cobo Center,
Detroit, Michigan
www.naias.com
January 12-22, 2012
European Motor Show Brussels
Brussels Expo,
Brussels, Belgium
www.salonauto.be
January 13-15
South Carolina Int'l Auto Show
TD Convention Center
Greenville, S.C.
www.SouthCarolinaAutoShow.com
January 13-16
Utah International Auto Expo
South Towne Exposition Center
Sandy, Utah
www.AutoExpoUtah.com
January 20-22
Memphis International Auto Show
Memphis Cook Convention Center
Memphis, Tenn.
www.Memphis-AutoShow.com
January 26-29
Pennsylvania Auto Show
PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center
Harrisburg, PA
www.AutoShowHarrisburg.com
January 27-29
West Virginia International Auto Show
Charleston Civic Center
Charleston, W.V.
www.WestVirginiaAutoShow.com
February
February 2-5
Northeast Int'l Auto Show
Rhode Island Convention Center
Providence, R.I.
www.ProvidenceAutoShow.com
February 9-12
Motor Trend International Auto Show / Baltimore
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, MD
www.AutoShowBaltimore.com
February 10-19
Chicago Auto Show
McCormick Place,
Chicago, Ill.
www.chicagoautoshow.com
February 10-12
Iowa-Illinois Regional Auto Show
River Center Convention Center
Davenport, IA
www.quadcityautoshow.com
February 17-26
Canadian International Auto Show
Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Rogers Centre,
Toronto, CANADA
www.autoshow.ca
March
March 3-13
International Geneva Motor Show
Palexpo,
Geneva, SWITZERLAND
www.salon-auto.ch/en/
February 25-March 4
Greater Milwaukee Auto Show
Frontier Airlines Center
Milwaukee, WI
www.AutoShowMilwaukee.com
March 23-25
Virginia Motor Trend Int'l Auto Show
Greater Richmond Convention Center
Richmond, VA
www.VirginiaAutoShow.com
April
March 30-April 1
First Hawaiian International Auto Show
Hawaii Convention Center
Honolulu, HI
www.HIAutoShow.com
April 6-15
New York International Auto Show
Jacob Javits Convention Center,
New York, N.Y.
www.autoshowny.com
April 21-28
Auto Shanghai
Shanghai New International Expo Center,
Shanghai, CHINA
www.autoshanghai.auto-fairs.com
April 13-15
New Mexico Auto Show
Albuquerque Convention Center
Albuquerque, NM
www.NewMexicoAutoShow.com
April 27-MAY 2
Beijing International Automotive Exhibition
New China International Exhibition Center
Beijing, CHINA
www.china-autoshow.com
September
September 20-27
Frankfurt Motor Show
Frankfurt/Main, GERMANY
www.iaa.de
September 29-October 14
Paris Motor Show
Paris Expo-Porte de Versailles,
Paris, FRANCE
www.mondialautomobile.com
October
October 19-28
Australian International Motor Show
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre,
Sydney, AUSTRALIA
www.motorshow.com.au
Land Rover LRX Concept
October 2012 (dates unknown)
Prague Auto Show
Prague Exhibition Grounds,
Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC
www.autoshowpraha.cz
November
November 28-December 9
Los Angeles Auto Show
Los Angeles Convention Center,
Los Angeles, USA
www.laautoshow.com
December
December 2012 (dates unknown)
Tokyo Motor Show
Tokyo Big Sight,
Tokyo, JAPAN
www.tokyo-motorshow.com
Article Last Updated: January 4, 2012.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
