With the distinction of being the largest auto show in the United States, the Chicago Auto Show benefits from new model debuts made at both the Detroit and Los Angeles shows earlier in the season. The third in the series of the four major annual American international auto shows, the Chicago show—while by and large lighter on the glitz and glitter of its siblings—is nonetheless a highly significant event.
At Chicago, manufacturers usually debut models that, while they don’t have the star power of the cars shown in Detroit and Los Angeles, still command a place of respect in the overall hierarchy of automotive offerings. In other words, rather than fire breathing sports cars and ultra-plush luxury models, Chicago’s yield generally serves the mass market.
From what we’ve seen so far, the Chicago show will have some interesting new products to consider this year; among them electric vehicles from Kia and Volkswagen, an all-new version of one of Subaru’s primary models, and an example of diesel power going where it has never gone before—in the U.S. market at least.
