But for 10 days from February 11 – 20 in the colossal lakefront McCormick Place exhibition center, the Chicago Auto Show will demonstrate that the vision of those few inventive companies so long ago was properly focused.
―The beauty of this show is that it reinvents itself every year and never ceases to amaze, said auto show chairman Kevin Mize. ―We have this astounding palette upon which our exhibitors take their vehicles, displays, imagination and ingenuity and create an auto show that simply wows the public—and often their counterparts.
―It‘s not like there‘s a big meeting of the exhibitors where a theme or path for their displays is chosen, continued Mize. ―Every company decides what‘s important to them and then they go about seeking ways to wow their target audiences—and they never disappoint.
―You might think that there was a decision this year to do ride-and-drive experiences, as there are four of them on the show floor. Four of them! There‘s just no other venue in North America that could have said -yes‘ to four indoor test tracks, but in Chicago we can. It‘s simply amazing, said Mize.
Formerly the show‘s solo indoor test track, Jeep will return with the steep hills and off-road fun that has attracted thousands. But this year show goers will also be able to jump in the seat to experience offerings from Ford‘s Chicago-built Explorer SUV; a full-on construction site to demonstrate Toyota‘s pickup trucks and SUVs; and the talk-of-the-country electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn attends opening day ceremony at the Chicago Auto Show on February 11, 2011
Photo: Chicago Auto Show
―The collection of these vehicles as static displays alone would be enough to warrant coming to the show, said co-chairman Steve Foley. ―But to have the ‗North American Car and Truck of the Year‘ winners available for our patrons to experience in motion is over the top.
―You know, at the first Chicago Auto Shows there was a wooden board test track that surrounded the cars, said Foley. ―But that‘s about where the similarities between then and now would end. I bet the first show would fit completely in just one of our bigger displays now. But even if you don‘t want to get into a moving vehicle the show is still appealing—the displays jump to life and capture the imagination of everyone who comes near.
Nearly 1,000 vehicles will be on display on the McCormick Place show floor, including cars, trucks, SUVs, hybrids, competition and concepts.
The Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place in Chicago opened on February 11, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn conducted the ribbon cutting ceremony, opening the popular event. Opening day of the show also included the announcement that the State of Illinois is making new license plates featuring sports teams available to fans of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Blackhawks.
Photo: Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show also offers an official Twitter page. For everyone who becomes a follower of our “tweets,” show officials promise they won’t be disappointed, as all the latest news and information right from the show floor will be delivered into the palm of the Tweeter‘s hand. @ChiAutoShow brings visitors the show in 140 characters or less!
As a member of either group, fans can expect exclusive information that hasn’t yet been released to the general public, inside scoops from the producers of the show, and the chance to win free tickets.
Source: Chicago Auto Show
Heavy: Chevy Silverado HD @ 2010 Chicago Auto Show Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnUQ9EM2_lU