Twin Cities Auto Show 2024: The Result of "The Discussion"

The 51^st Twin Cities Auto Show continues to be a local Tier 3 show for the consumer…

It’s a statement that is reflective of the current state of the automotive industry. However, it does not the entire story. It may be a local auto show for dealers and consumers to connect, enabling these consumers to compare vehicles under one roof. However, it is OUR local auto show. 

What makes it our’s? Simple…you can see your friends work the floor, show off their rides, and share it all with you.

A prime example is seen in an inner lobby with Carmmunity’s display of select rides. From Daniel Balto’s modified Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X to Robbi Correll’s “Hello Kitty” themed JDM Suzuki Alto, this is all about the local car culture. At least a little taste of it. 

Walker further into the hall, and you will see the Cars Against Crime display. Among those is John Wayne Pha’s wrapped Acura NSX. It fits right in with a Batmobile, a Mystery Machine, and other notable stars of the big and small screen. 

In the adjacent rooms, you have a display of Unique Classic Cars Room with its selection of classic vehicles for you to remember. The other room has the latest creations from Automotive Concepts. Between these rooms are flights of fantasy that Minnesotans love to check out. 

You also get the vehicles currently on sale. There were some surprises – some not seen back at the Chicago Auto Show. Mercedes-Benz had a mix of ICE and electric vehicles, as did Cadillac and BMW. Volvo was on the floor, as were some of JLR’s latest. Luxury Lane presented vehicles without any velvet ropes or separations – including a few Aston Martins, Maseratis, and Bentleys. 

A fine sight to see was Stellantis had a dealer-backed display. In fact, all seven brands sold in North America was represented across the show floor. There were some rare gems – at least for us – such as the 2024 Fiat 500e and 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten. Alfa Romeo had their own display, as well.

Volkswagen trotted out another teaser display for the ID.Buzz. This time, it was a European market short wheelbase model. I know that waiting for one is the “hardest part,” but we know it’s coming. If not by the end of this year.

That’s for what we saw. Well…what George and I saw at the media preview. 

The discussion about the importance of auto shows to the consumers have been at top of the mind for some of people I chatted with over two days. People still want to see the vehicles. People want to shop and compare without hassle. People also want to be entertained by local personalities, if not some special guest that appear on your television.

To discount the Twin Cities Auto Show by its tiered position is to not peg down its importance to, say, the New York International Show. The space may have changed, and the square footage may be down, but that where it shares with the larger auto shows across North America. 

However, by adding car culture to the show may have sustained the Twin Cities Auto Show’s future. With all of the consumers inside, discussions will happen. The newer generations that are cultivating the area’s car culture may instill some interest among others to explore that extra layer of the automotive scene. \

Another discussion on the show floor is around the relevance of Electric and Electrified vehicles. Yes, sales are down for battery-electric vehicles, resulting in reduced production activities and delays of new EVs. However, the curiosity level has increased aming consumers. They may be querying about EVs, but they are now lingering at dealership lots with reduced prices. 

The run of the 51^st Twin Cities Auto Show may have ended. However, the discussions continued as to whether this show remains relevant. I offer no answers, but I hope that this and other auto shows will return back to full strength soon. 

All photos by Randy Stern and George Torline