North American International Auto Show nears …
Posted By RichC on January 3, 2006
For those of us that enjoy automobiles, January is a big month of the year as auto shows debut with the gigantic North American International Auto Show in Michigan. The automotive journalist will get the first look, followed by the industry folks and finally the doors open to the public on January 14th – 22nd. Approximately 7000 journalist from around the world will cover the event in a few short days followed by an estimated 800 thousand people.
Originally the Detroit Auto Show, the exhibit has been held every year since 1907 with the exception of WWII and several years following; it was only renamed the North American International Auto Show in 1989. The show has been held in the 700,000 square foot area of Cobo Center since 1965 and has grown to include an international audience.
This is a big show and the economic impact to southeastern Michigan is even bigger … second to hosting an Olympics as far as an infusion of dollars. It is bigger than the Superbowl, the World Series, the Kentucky Derby or the Oscars! It even has more economic impact than other well known automotive events like the Daytona or Indianapolis 500. The only other Michigan event that came close was the Ryders Cup which only generates about 1/5 of the revenue. The combined the economic impact of the auto show, along with hosting this year’s Superbowl, will bring approximately 1 billion dollars to southeastern Michigan. (now if I could only aid the ailing American automotive companies … that would really help!)
If you are reasonably close and enjoy cars, consider a trip to the NAIAS this year. Further information in regard to tickets, dates and pricing can be found at the NAIAS website.
Did you know: There is enough carpet used in the displays to cover 750 football fields? Wow!
First, it is a luxury car. The power mega-way leather seats adjust quickly to a perfect drivers position for me and I immediately felt comfortable behind the wheel. Controls are not overdone and look very appealing. The “
What doesn’t take getting use to is the powerful 4.8 liter Double-VANOS steplessly variable valve timed V-8; it is a engine that belongs in this Bengal tiger! It accellerates quickly and kept the 18 inch alloy wheels and 245/45R-18 all-season run-flat tires stuck to the pavement … with a little assist from the Dynamic Traction Control. I wasn’t watching the speedo, but the seat of the pant feel confirms the 6-speed SMG transmission rocketed this luxury car to 60 in its stated 5.3 seconds, I think. What stood out most was just how quiet the car was even while accelerating hard as the cabin is best defined as ‘hushed.’ I was shocked several times when I glanced at the tach to see rpm’s up around 5 and 6000 … you couldn’t tell from inside the car. I could continue to rave about all the features that ease the driver’s load, but just check out the 
First my apologies for my lack of Christmas blogging for those who might occasionally read my desultory posts … although I can’t imagine why one would miss them. 
It happened a lifetime ago, but “it is a day that will live in infamy.” December 7, 1941 was the day a surprise attack was made against our country by the empire of Japan. We remember this day but unfortunately did not learn the lesson. Most of us were not alive to remember the heart wrenching shock and sickening feeling when Pearl Harbor was bombed by waves of Japanese carrier planes, but we were for 9/11. Americans could hardly believe it was possible to have suffered such a attack in Hawaii, yet 2,390 men and much of our Pacific fleet layed in ruins. How could it have happened? Didn’t we know of this possible threat?
Fast forward 60 years and September 11th is remembered as a surprise attack too … and by most accounts it was even worse than Pearl Harbor. Not only was 9/11 a surprise attack, but it was an attack using commercial airliners (not military airplanes) against civilians (not targeting warships and sailors). The attack in the Pacific was enough to unite the country against the tyrants of the world; we never gave up and every America saw fighting the enemy as their duty. Are we united today? The enemies of our country are just as real and as motivated to kill Americans as were the Japanese. Todays’ enemies willing to blow themselves up just as some Japanese pilots would kill themselves in order to inflict damage to the US. Whether its the kamikaze suicide pilots of WWII or the Islamic extremist driving truck bombs today, they both targeted killing as many Americans as possible.