Is There Still A Future For The Traditional Auto Show?

Nope.

THat depends on your outlook on the Auto Industry.

I still do not see the HUGE movement to EVS - and I believe ICE engine cars will be around for decades to come.

But I do not see a reason why an auto show that features EVS would not make it if they coordinated launch times to the show. Self Driving cars are going to be a LONG way into the future.

As an auto enthusiast I enjoy going and it's a great way to check out the latest and greatest. As good as Agent001's pictures are, there is no substitute for seeing a car's metal/carbon fiber/composite body in person or sitting in the interior. No question that sites like Autospies and all of the videos/chat/other websites on the internet expose you to these vehicles earlier and in more detail. I can understand if manufacturers feel the investment in the show does not provide a big enough return on investment. Still, I don't see drivers giving up driving for many many years.

It's not widespread, but it does happen where manufacturers are inviting current owners to come see the new model in a pampered setting as well as inviting owners of competitive models.

The internet gets the new car out there so the auto show has no surprise. If the only way you could actually see a concept was to actually go to the show because no pictures were on the internet, then maybe.

But with manufacturers spoiling the surprise of a debut at the auto show by debuting it before the auto show in leaks, there really isn't any reason to go.

Well I guess there are some of us old farts who still enjoy the atmosphere and being able to see, touch and smell the new iron. We have a pretty good event here in Cleveland every February.

MD, I was looking forward to your response, I agree with it, I was looking for more detail. 'Nope" is most straightforward answer.
The last two Chicago Auto Shows I attended were mostly a collection of cars already on dealers lots. Range Rover had a velvet line around the Velar

@Truthy

Where I live, I'm stuck with the horrid Los Angeles Auto Show that (1) NEVER has anything truly fantastic debut, (2) has no world-class concepts, and (3) it panders to the religion of climate change crowd with with their hairy armptits and yoga pants. :)

My brother, his husband, and I go, sometimes my buddy Kenny comes if he can get off from the Sheriff's Department, we rent a couple rooms at a hotel in Downtown LA, go to the auto show to hang out then go out for steaks or sushi (Little Tokyo, Koreatown, and Chinatown are killer fun), have a drink at a Tiki bar we like, and then head back to the hotel where Kyle shakes up martinis and we shoot the shinola. All four of us have known each other since toddler age so we have a good time, but the auto show is a bore.

My brother and I get attention from people at the auto as we walk around for being twins--we aren't--but we are so identical looking it's crazy...though 13 months apart.

If the LA Auto Show went poof, we'd still do our get away.

MD, I was looking forward to your response, I agree with it, I was looking for more detail. 'Nope" is most straightforward answer.
The last two Chicago Auto Shows I attended were mostly a collection of cars already on dealers lots. Range Rover had a velvet line around the Velar

and you had to fill out a questionnaire to be allowed to see the Velar up close.
You could drive one at the dealer.

For me, the Range Rover Velour is "meh". It's just an FPace with RR styling that doesn't quite work in the flesh.

The ONLY reason to go to a car show is to see the young, hot, beautiful ladies that your crusty, old, wrinkly, lame ass couldn't get even in your prime. Sadly I fall into this category now. What cars?

LOL if I were single, I'd be busy with the empowered women in their 50s who divorced well.

Some people have a very myopic view on cars shows. The reasons to have them are various and are not just about showing off cars. They are also about the industry getting together, they are about lobbying regulators and politicians, they are about employing people, they are about automotive related industries, they are about the history and celebration of the automobile and its place in our world.

Where in hell did you suck up that bull shine from? I hope you were being sarcastic.

Since 85% of cars are now SUV's and crossovers, car shows are not very appealing or interesting to me. I am not going to any car shows any longer.

I hate auto shows because it is crowds of people criticizing cars they will never be able to afford. Kind of like this site.

So, at the auto show, you can leave, right? Do likewise here. #FriendshipGoals