“The show floor is packed.” Detroit Auto Show co-exec director shows the event

DETROIT (WXYZ) — The Detroit Auto Show is back — that’s the message from its new co-executive director, who tells me he plans to make this year’s event more convenient than ever.

“The show has been around for more than a century in one form or another,” said Sam Klemet, the new co-executive director of the Detroit Auto Show.

That’s right, since 1899, the Detroit Auto Show has showcased the best of everything automotive in the Motor City.

Over the decades, the show itself has evolved. Rod Alberts started running it in 1990 when it became the North American International Auto Show, and now, after 34 years, a new co-executive director is stepping up.

“I hope you feel an energy when you walk into the building; Detroit right now is on fire, we’re one of the hottest cities, I’d say in the world, and we’re going to build on that momentum,” Klemet said.

Related video: Extended interview with Detroit Auto Show co-executive director

Extended interview: Detroit Auto Show co-executive director talks about this year’s event plans

As the floor of the 2025 Detroit Auto Show builds around us, Klemet tells me the show is back to its winter roots with the original name “Detroit Auto Show.” But that’s not all.

“We’ll have more than 40 different brands represented, you can actually get into these vehicles and drive them – and that’s something you can’t learn and look at all the specs online, it doesn’t replicate that experience of actually being in the car,” he said.

Klemet says that this year’s show will be more hands-on than ever.

“The show floor is packed, there’s 70,000 square meters of show floor and every inch of it will be filled with cars or activations, so I think it’s something that will be very different,” he said.

He promises four different tracks, 35 different vehicles for people to drive, a special race day presented by the Detroit Grand Prix, a strong Detroit Lions presence and activities for children.

“We have this partnership now with the Michigan Science Center, so if you’re a young kid and you’re interested in the automotive industry, you can build a car,” he said.

By 2023, the Detroit Auto Show had an economic impact of $100 million.

It will run January 10 to January 20, an annual tradition for thousands.

“It’s one of those things where you can look back in 10, 15 years and look at those pictures and say ‘I remember when,’ and then you want to bring the next generation here,” Klemet said.

The Detroit Auto Show opens to the public on January 11th, see you there.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.