Chicago 2012: A Preview

A scene from the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. Photo by Randy Stern

The North American International Auto Show inspired a lot of optimism amongst all of us working in and around the automotive industry. The show recently held in Detroit hosted a slew of major introductions on the floor of Cobo Hall amid an atmosphere never seen in the automotive industry in the past few years. The cause for celebration was nothing more than honest optimism thanks to a rise in auto sales from the depths of the global financial crisis.

Hopefully, all of the optimism and the industry's celebratory mood will carry over to the next major auto show on the calendar: Chicago.

Why Chicago this year? It is the nearest major auto show to home. McCormick Place has two massive halls full of the latest automobiles, as well as related experiences for the show attendee. Scheduled to be introduced in Chicago so far are the new 2013 GMC Acadia, the Volkswagen Beetle with the TDI engine, 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser and the RAM Laramie Limited. We are also in for a few more surprises to come.

I will be on the floor of McCormick Place for the second year in a row during press preview days. This marks my fourth Chicago Auto Show as working press – my fifth overall in attendance since 2002. This year's coverage will not only feature debuts from the show itself, but in-depth coverage of previously introduced new models, additional industry insights and analysis and a peek into coming attractions for Lavender and Victory & Reseda.

I am planning on posting a few articles from the floor of McCormick Place on V&R, along with plenty of photographic images onto my Flickr site. I will also be doing some live tweeting as well. Just follow @VictoryReseda on twitter to catch the fun during Wednesday and Thursday.

Stay tuned for Chicago Auto Show coverage starting Wednesday morning…