Bye-Bye Detroit?, Los Angeles Auto Show Receives OICA Sanctioning for 2007 Show

But First Snide's Remarks:
As many of you already know, I believe that the days of the Detroit Auto Show as North America’s international automotive showcase are numbered, and this announcement further confirms my predictions.

At one time when Detroit was the center of the world's automotive universe, the most important auto show in North America did take place there

Well, as Detroit’s auto fortune’s sink, and the importance of California as the hotspot for new car buying in the US grows...and as the weather and amenities in LA in November are sure a lot more attractive for the world’s auto journalists and auto company suits than January in Detroit...I believe that Detroit soon will NOT BE North America's premiere Auto Showcase.

What do you think? msnide@theautochannel.com.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 31, 2005 -- The Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA), the world automobile trade association, has officially named the Los Angeles Auto Show as one of its sanctioned international exhibitions for the 2006 auto show season. The recognition is effective for the 2007 LA Auto Show that will be held in November 2006.

OICA is the world association of the national automobile industry federations. With its more than 40 member organizations worldwide, Paris-based OICA represents the interests of the automobile industry. Representing the U.S. as an OICA member is the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

"This sanctioning from OICA will allow the LA Auto Show's presence throughout the automobile industry to continue to grow on an international level," said Andy Fuzesi, general manager of the Los Angeles Auto Show. "OICA's recognition of the LA Auto Show points to the growing momentum of the show within the industry due to its date shift from January to November."

This is the first time the LA Auto Show has been sanctioned by OICA, thereby joining the auto show in Detroit as the only two U.S. shows with such recognition for the 2006 calendar year. Historically, only one auto show per country is sanctioned by OICA.

The final January LA Auto Show will open its doors to the media January 4-5 and to the public on January 6-15, where more than two dozen North American and Worldwide automobile debuts will be revealed. Dates for the 2007 LA Auto Show are November 29-30, 2006 for media days, and December 1-10 for the public.

For additional information and updates, visit the show's Web site HERE