The North American International Auto Show Rod Alberts - Executive Director Entering its 22nd year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world and is one of the largest media events in North America. The NAIAS 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. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at www.naias.com.
Debut List Continues to Grow for 2010 North American International Auto Show
An estimated 40 new car unveilings, and counting, have been committed to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Center. With approximately three weeks left before one of the world's premier international automotive forums takes place, NAIAS continues to attract the major automakers along with emerging brands from around the world and the highest level of international journalists from major markets.
"You can feel the excitement building for the 2010 NAIAS as we hear from automakers and journalists alike," said Doug Fox, chairman, 2010 NAIAS. "This show will deliver an incredible lineup of world debuts, evidence that individual automakers are headed to Detroit to showcase their product and their direction in the industry."
Fox added the likelihood of more reveals being made public is high over the next few weeks leading up to the first press day on Monday, Jan. 11 at NAIAS. However, as of right now, the show is seeing consistent numbers of approximately 30 worldwide reveals and at least 10 North American debuts, substantial numbers given the current economy.
In recent weeks, internationally recognized outlets have commented on new products expected to be unveiled at the 2010 NAIAS. (A list for reference is provided below).
Fox indicated more updates on any additional reveals will be shared on www.naias.com.
OEM, Vehicle
Reporting Media Outlet
Audi, A8
Global Post
BMW, ActiveE - concept
Edmunds - Inside Line
BMW, Z4 - "top-of-the-line"
The Detroit News
Chevrolet, Camaro - convertible
Canadian Driver
Chevrolet, Aveo
Canadian Driver
Chevrolet, Spark - sub-compact
Canadian Driver
Chevrolet, Orlando
Canadian Driver
Chevrolet, Malibu
Canadian Driver
Chrysler, Lancia - derivative
Bloomberg/Business Week
Ford, Focus
Global Post
GMC, Acadia - Denali edition
The Detroit News
Mercedes Benz, E-Class Cabriolet
The New York Times
MINI, Beachcomber - concept
Automobile Magazine
Toyota, Hybrid concept
The Detroit News
Volkswagen, Jetta
The Motor Report
Volvo, C30 - electric
Automobile Magazine
The North American International Auto Show Rod Alberts - Executive Director Entering its 22nd year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world and is one of the largest media events in North America. The NAIAS 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. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at www.naias.com.
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Press Preview - Monday-Tuesday, January 11-12, 2010 Industry Preview - Wednesday-Thursday, January 13-14, 2010 Charity Preview - Friday, January 15, 2010 Public Show - Saturday-Sunday, January 16-24, 2010
About the North American International Auto Show
The NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, people and ideas that matter most -- up close and in one place. One of the largest media events in North America, the NAIAS 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. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at www.naias.com.
Dodge Viper
Remember when: GM at 2008 NAIAS:
Remember when: Ford at 2008 NAIAS:
"A car journalist must do two things: attend the Detroit show and subscribe to Automotive News." --Frank Aukofer, contributing editor, DriveWays
Rod Alberts is the executive director of the NAIAS and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association. He also has served as president of the national Automotive Trade Association Executives (ATAE), an affiliation of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). Alberts is a member of the host committee for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. He is a member of the board of directors,Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, and board of directors of the Automotive Hall of Fame. The North American International Auto Show is considered among the most prestigious auto shows in the world and is one of the largest media events in North America. The NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn the distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris- based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. The NAIAS website can be accessed at www.naias.com . Source: North American International Auto Show CONTACT: Elizabeth Weigandt of John Bailey & Associates, Inc., +1-248-362-4200, ext. 244, eweigandt@baileypr.com
Chinese manufacturers Changfeng Motor Group, BYD Auto Co., Geely International Corporation, China America Cooperative Automotive, Inc./ZXNA (Chamco) and Li Shi Guang Ming Auto Design Co. appeared at the 2008 show. “We were very excited to welcome these Chinese companies to Detroit,” said Carl Galeana, senior co-chairman for the NAIAS 2008. “With so much interest surrounding their products, we saw thousands of industry executives and international media eager to learn more about these companies first hand.” Changfeng Motor Group and Geely International Corporation are making return visits to Detroit while BYD Auto Co., Chamco and Li Shi Guang Ming appeared for the first time.
NAIAS Report Card: A Great Show!
2008 senior co-chairman, Carl Galeana
"Each year the NAIAS committee's goal is to offer a world-class event to thousands of media, industry insiders, enthusiasts and consumers who visit the show," said Carl Galeana., senior co-chairman for the NAIAS 2008. "Drawing more than 90 exhibitors, with spectacular displays showcasing more than 700 production and concept vehicles, the NAIAS proudly stands along side the top international shows around the world such as Frankfurt, Geneva, Paris and Tokyo. Having said that, it has been an honor to serve as senior co- chairman and I proudly pass the leadership role over to 2009 senior co-chairman, Joseph Serra."
Once again, NAIAS partnered with NBC Sports and was featured in a one-of a kind, two-hour, NBC Sports broadcast, entitled "International Auto Show."
2009 Senior co-chairman, Joseph Serra
Detroit Car Show Video Tips
Tips From a Veteran Videographer...
John Fuller: Author, News Videographer
The Show
The North American International Auto Show is a welcome relief for most television news videographers, The assignment of an Auto Show feature means you are going to be inside where it’s warm and comfortable when it‘s cold and snowing outside. On the other hand, it also means you will put in a "real" day’s work and will be tired when you walk out the door.
Veteran videographers from Detroit television stations know the ropes of the Auto Show. They’ve learned the hard way, from practical experience. But, first timers have a lot to learn. And since I have worked auto shows for more than 35 years I can offer some useful suggestions gained from my experiences to make your assignments easier to shoot.
Two Auto Shows
There are two auto shows at Cobo Center. The first one is Press Week when virtually every automaker has a news conference and hundreds of media members from around the world gather to see new car introductions. The second auto show is open to the public. And the crowds will be there. Oh, yes! The crowds…especially on the weekends.
During Press Week, some of the presentations will be spectacular stage productions while others will offer nothing more than an opportunity to ask questions of someone other than a public relations flak. If the presentation is a new car or truck introduction, look for a company PR representative and find out what to expect so you’re not caught unaware. You don’t want to be shooting cutaways when a car falls out of the ceiling.
You will not be able to shoot all the presentations. Your assignment editor should have researched the show to know what presentations are the most important. Have your reporter keep a timetable of events you want to cover. If the presentation is a major announcement every videographer and still photographer in Cobo will be there so you will want to get to the site as early as possible to set a tripod and reserve a good spot on the shooting platform. I prefer a spot at one end of the platform so I can climb down to shoot cutaways or one-on-one interviews and reactions or get away to go somewhere else before the presentation is done.
Incidentally, one or two of the auto companies will provide lunch for the media each day. Take advantage of it! You will need the break to refuel your mind and your body.
The Hall
The setup of the hall will be different every day of Press week as staging is changed for the different presentations. One day you will find an easy way to get from one location to another and the next day that way will be blocked by a shooting platform and a floor-to-ceiling tarp covering the stage. That’s the auto show…dynamic by the minute.
The second auto show will look entirely different from the Press Week show. The stages will be gone and so will the major company representatives and the free lunches. Because of the crowds, you’ll find it difficult to move around and impossible to set a tripod.
Your Equipment
Before leaving the station, get your equipment ready. If your vehicle is kept in a warm garage you can do your prep inside and out of the weather. As important as your camera are your credentials. Be sure to take them. You won’t get in without them. For Press Week I used a luggage cart to haul around my equipment. The last thing I wanted to do was to make a mad dash for my truck to get something I needed. I packed a plastic container with all the things I thought I would need including the items necessary for a live shot. For the second week I would suggest taking nothing more than the bare necessities for a story like freshly charged batteries, plenty of tape, wireless microphone with fresh batteries. Toss them into a carry bag. That same luggage cart will come in handy.
The Story
Before leaving for Cobo find out what the producers expect of you and your reporter. Spending all day at the auto show and coming back with the wrong story is unforgivable. If the producers tell you to find a story, you’re home free. In the truck, on the way to Cobo Center, talk to your reporter. Find out his or her ideas for the story, In turn, offer your suggestions. Chances are, by the time you get there, the two of you will have come up with, at least, a starting point.
At Cobo Center, during the second auto show, go to the press room and get rid of your coats and leave your carry bag. Stick a spare tape or two in your pocket and have a cup of coffee. Grab a map of the show and sit down with your reporter and plot your path. There is nothing worse than being on two different pages.
One of the biggest challenge for producers, reporters and videographers is to come up with an original thought. I think every imaginable story has been done a hundred different ways. I’ve done them all a dozen times. But an old news director of mine said "there are no dull stories, just dull approaches to interesting stories." To me the most interesting subjects are the people and their reactions as they look over a car or truck. To someone else it will be the changes made in those expensive, shiny new vehicles. If you’re still in search of a story idea when you check in at the press room, talk with PR chief John Love. He knows the show and what’s new and he can offer you enough story ideas to last a week.
The Microphone
Your choice of microphone will be of utmost importance. For most situations, the old standby, the hand mike, should be used as the noise level is usually very high. However, I always carried a lavaliere mike in my pocket to use for stand-ups if the background noise permits. A lav will free the reporter’s hands to open doors, trunks and hoods and will look much more natural than waving around a hand mike with an ugly logo on it. Wild sound will be captured by the camera-mounted mike but don’t depend on it for usable sound up. Unless you are very close to a person, the sound can be used for nothing more than background. If you’re looking for usable sound up reactions have your reporter work a hand mike without a logo or a shotgun mike in close to the person but out of the picture. Always use your headset so you can monitor the audio. There’s nothing more frustrating, as you well know, than to have the best reactions cut off in mid sentence or be lost in the background noise. And first reactions are always the most natural and can never be repeated. Give your reporter hand signals to let him or her know if the mike position is OK or if the mike needs to be dropped down or moved in.
Reporter Involvement
The auto show is a great place to showcase a reporter by utilizing reporter involvement. A reporter with his or her head under the hood with a spectator makes good video. It is also a chance for the reporter to get some decent sound reaction. Reporter involvement does not mean that the reporter is creating the news but rather is a witness to it. The audience will feel as if the reporter really knows what is going on and can be relied on for truthful accounts of the Auto Show.
Lighting
Lighting will not be a major problem. There should be enough light to shoot just about anything. However, keep your light mounted on the camera for use when needed. I always tried to shoot everything but the interviews with available light. It required some work but was worth it. Turning on the light usually grabs the attention of the subject and ruins good and natural reactions.
Be careful to observe the color temperature of the light on your subject. Remember, it is stage lighting and it could be daylight or tungsten or some funny color that brings out the best of the vehicle. And the next exhibit could be entirely different. White balance as often as you can to keep your color consistent. There’s nothing worse than blue or pink video.
Author John Fuller
A Word of Caution
There may come the time when someone doesn’t want their picture on television. It could be that they called in sick to go to the show, they could be wanted by the cops, they might be with someone other than their significant other, or they are just camera-shy. Respect their wishes and you’ll avoid a hassle. Simply excuse yourself and walk away.
Now for some suggestions for Assignment Editors, producers, and…oh, yes…reporters.
Don’t send your crew into the auto show and expect them to turn a story in a half hour so they can chase off to something else or page them to run off to some murder scene across town. Cobo is a big place and it takes time to park and get inside the hall. Then it takes more time to chase down the people needed to do the sound and even more time to shoot the supporting video.
If at all possible use the same crews, at least the same videographers, for all the stories you plan on doing. The reason is simple. Each videographer knows what he or she has shot and can go back to a tape from another day to retrieve a needed piece of video. Your shooter can also come up with possible picture stories from video shot during the run of the show. The reporter may already have some of the sound on tape and can also go back to get responses that may work in the day’s stories. In fact, parts of a story can be shot over several days. For example, you can get shots of people standing on their heads looking at the innermost parts of a car to make a good video-put-to-music story or little kids sleeping in a stroller or on dad’s shoulder while mom’s looking over a vehicle.
And as a reporter you can lend the cameraman a hand by carrying the battery and tape bag so he or she can be free to shoot whenever something comes up. It’s not that heavy. However, carrying a bag can keep your shooter from moving around to get the best angle on a shot. As a shooter I am rather impulsive and will see something that will get away from me if I don’t act fast. And it could be the one shot that makes the story come to life. If the carry bag does get in the way, you can always find an exhibit information booth and stash the bag until you need it.
These ideas should help both reporter and videographer. Enjoy working the show. Chances are, you won’t win an Emmy but you will have some fun. And remember, it’s warm inside Cobo.
--John Fuller (c) NewCarNews.TV
North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards
This award, announced each at the start of Press Days at NAIAS, is judged by 50 automotive writers who each test drive all of the vehicles. You can localize this story now by contacting and interviewing Chris Jensen who oversess the contest, and someone like Matt DeLorenzo who is a judge and has driven all of the vehicles: Road and Track editor: Matt DeLorenzo (313) 885-0399 or Cleveland Plain Dealer's Chris Jensen (216) 999-4830 Another way of doing this story is with your local automotive writer and a short chat with someone at the car wash who has probably seen them all!
Although this site is designed to encourage YOU to develop and produce more automotive stories using your own resources and local contacts, there are times when that's is not enough. I am available. Let me help you produce your automotive story. With forty years experience in broadcast news I can assist you in contacting the correct spokesperson, hiring an out-of-town photographer and assembling crew, plus the transmission of video or a live signal back to your station.
