Detroit's WWJ is reporting the 2021 North American International Auto Show, scheduled for September, has been cancelled; although an outdoor event in Pontiac is planned to take its place in September. This is the second consecutive year the auto show won't go on, in Detroit, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The home of the NAIAS, the TCF Center in downtown Detroit (formerly known as Cobo Arena) was being used as a field hospital early in the pandemic in 2020.

Still planned for late September, according to WWJ, is a six day outdoor automotive festival in Pontiac, named "Motor Bella". Motor Bella," is set to be at the M-1 Concourse in Pontiac, and will include some of the elements of the Detroit Auto Show, including outdoor displays, some driving/track experiences, and the perfunctory things associated with auto shows like technology exhibits and a charity preview for the well-heeled. According to the NAIAS press release quoted by the Detroit News, "The event "will bring next-generation mobility and exciting vehicle debuts to media, show-goers and the automotive enthusiasts."

The last full auto show in Detroit was in January of 2019. With all the electrification of vehicles going full speed ahead, there should be, maybe, even more interest that during an average year. One concern would be the late September dates and the unpredictability of weather at that time of season.

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