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Wikipedia / Chicago Auto Show

The Chicago Auto Show is held annually in February at Chicago's McCormick Place convention center. It is the largest auto show in North America.

Event History

Samuel Miles, formerly a promoter of bicycle shows, produced the first "official" Chicago Automobile Show in 1901. The event was staged in March of that year at the third Chicago Coliseum. The 1901 show featured an indoor track for attendees to test drive the ten vehicles exhibited: five electric powered, three steam powered, and two with gasoline engines. The 1902 show saw 100 cars on display; the indoor track was discontinued after the first year to accommodate space requirements for the exhibitors.

By the late 1920s, the automotive industry's maturation resulted in many smaller automobile manufacturers being acquired or replaced by larger ones. The Chicago Auto Show continued to gain prominence during this era and was often regarded as the "National Auto Show". Samuel Miles retired as the Chicago Auto Show's general manager in 1931 after three decades of service.

1935 was characterized by three major changes to the Chicago Auto Show: The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), the United States' oldest and largest metropolitan automobile dealership organization, became the event's producer and organizer. Also, the show was held twice in calendar year 1935—once in January for the 1935 models, and once in November for the 1936 models. This arrangement was a result of automakers shifting the start of the model year to the fall, based on a recommendation by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to advance the introduction of new automobile models by two months. Finally, the November 1935 show moved to a much larger venue, the International Amphitheatre.

World War II curtailed production of motor vehicles for consumers in the United States, with the domestic automotive industry retooling to manufacture defense and military equipment. As a result, the Chicago Auto Show was not held between 1941 and 1949.

In 1961, the Chicago Auto Show moved from the International Amphitheatre to the original McCormick Place. The latter facility was destroyed by fire just a month prior to the 1967 show, so the International Amphitheatre resumed its role as the Chicago Auto Show's venue between 1967 and 1970. The show returned to McCormick Place in 1971, when a replacement building was constructed at the site. Additional expansions to McCormick Place toward the end of the 20th century allowed the Chicago Auto Show to become the largest auto show in the United States. The event currently encompasses more than 800,000 square feet in Hall A of McCormick Place's South Building.

2026

No newly introduced vehicles were presented at the 2026 show.

2025

Production car introductions

2024

Production car introductions

2023

Production car introductions

Concept car introductions

auto show debut

2022

Production car introductions

auto show debut

Concept car introductions

2021

Production car introductions

Concept car introductions

auto show debut

2020

Production car introductions

2019

Production car introductions

2018

Production car introductions

Concept car introductions

Race car introductions

2017

Production car introductions

Concept car introductions

2016

Production car introductions

Concept car introductions

2015

Production car introductions

Concept car introductions

Race car introductions

2014

Production car introductions

Concept car introductions

Race car introductions

2013

Production car introductions

Concept car introductions

  • Chevrolet "Turbo" Camaro Coupe Concept

  • Dodge Charger Defiance Show Car

  • Kia Cross GT Concept

  • Kia Optima Hybrid "Inspired by Superman" Concept

  • Ford Fiesta ST GRC Concept

  • Ford Focus TrackSTer Concept

2012

Introductions and concepts:

In addition to the factory-built Chrysler 300, Mopar also showed three 75th anniversary accessory kits: the Dodge Dart "GTS 210 Tribute", Fiat 500 "Stinger", and Mopar Jeep Compass "True North".

2011

Introductions and concepts:

2010

Introductions and concepts:

2009

Introductions and concepts:

Also, the Ford Transit Connect was re-introduced as an official 2010 model, after pre-production units were displayed for the first time in the U.S. at the previous year's show.

2008

Introductions:

The show also had a special U.S. Army area, open to the public, which displayed military vehicles and featured Army-related activities and video games.

2007

Introductions:

2006

Introductions:

2005

Production car introductions

Concept car introductions

2004

The 2004 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 6 through February 15.

2003

The 2003 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 14 through February 23.

Introductions:

2002

The 2002 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 8 through February 17.

Introductions:

2001

Introductions:

1998

Production car introductions

  • Acura 3.5 RL Special Edition

  • Acura Integra Type-R SCCA Race Car

  • Acura NSX SCCA Race Car

  • Cadillac Seville

  • Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

  • Chevrolet Tahoe Z71

  • Chevrolet TrailBlazer

  • Chrysler Town & Country Limited

  • Dodge Viper GTS-R GT2 Championship Edition

  • Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited

  • Jeep Cherokee Classic

  • Mitsubishi Galant

  • Nissan Quest

  • Kia Sportage Convertible

  • Ford SVT F-150 Lightning

  • Ford F-150 NASCAR Special Edition

  • Ford SVT Mustang Cobra Bondurant

  • Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Supercab

  • Toyota Corolla Sedan

  • Toyota Land Cruiser

  • Toyota Tacoma Xtracab

  • Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Limited

Concept car introductions

  • Pontiac Grand Prix Concept:Cure by Cynthia Rowley

  • Cadillac DeVille Concours Concept:Cure by Michael Kors

  • Chevrolet Venture Concept:Cure by Joe Boxer's Nicholas Graham

  • GMC Jimmy Concept:Cure by Tommy Hilfiger

  • GMC Sierra DEUCE

  • Ford Libre

  • Nissan Frontier 4-door Concept

  • Infiniti Q29 Roadster

  • Kia Minivan Concept

  • Toyota T150 Concept

1997

Production car introductions

Concept car introductions

1995

1992

More than 1,000 vehicles were on display, from the automotive manufacturers and other groups.

Production car introductions

  • Audi 90

  • Buick Skylark Sedan

  • Ford Escort GT

  • Ford SVT Mustang Cobra

  • Ford SVT F-150 Lightning

  • Infiniti J30

  • Mazda 626

  • Mercury Tracer

  • Subaru Legacy Touring Sports LE Wagon

  • Toyota Camry Wagon

Concept car introductions

  • Geo Tracker concepts (Back Packer, Beach Low-Rider, Baja Race, Biker, Snow)

  • Ford Explorer Drifter

  • Ford Boss Bronco

  • Saab 9000CD Turbo Flex Fuel Concept

  • Toyota Avalon 4-door convertible concept

1991

  • GMC Rio Grande All-Wheel-Drive Concept

1990

Production car introductions

Concept cars

1989

Production car introductions

Concept car introductions

1968

Production car introductions

1923

Production car introductions

References