Chicago Auto Show Returns to Full Capacity For First Time Since COVID-19 Onset
People of all ages browsed some of the nearly 1,000 vehicles on display on the first day of the show, Saturday
By Karen Aguilar and Matt Stefanski ••
NBC Universal, Inc.
The Chicago Auto Show, the largest auto show in the country, officially opened on Saturday to thousands of eager spectators and a return to full capacity. NBC 5’s Karen Aguilar reports.
The Chicago Auto Show, the largest auto show in the country, officially opened on Saturday to thousands of eager spectators and a return to its typical, larger size than in most recent years.
The show, which goes through Monday, Feb. 20, is expected to see around a million visitors during the course of its 10-day run. The first day kicked off bright and early with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
“The one thing we are really excited about is that this is the first time we are fully back in-person with full capacity since the pandemic,” said Lt. Governor Stratton.
People of all ages browsed some of the nearly 1,000 vehicles on display, including 12-year-old Dani Bouboutsis and her dad Paul.
“I am going to buy a car,” Dani said.
“You are going to buy me one right?" her dad responded.
One spectator - Michael Johnson - said he made the trek from Kentucky just for the show.
âââââââCHICAGO, USA – FEBRUARY 09: Toyota shows IQ car during the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.The show will open to the public on February 11 and run through February 20.âââââââ (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, USA – FEBRUARY 09: RAM shows Revolution prototype car during the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.The show will open to the public on February 11 and run through February 20. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, USA – FEBRUARY 09: RAM shows Revolution prototype car during the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.The show will open to the public on February 11 and run through February 20. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, USA – FEBRUARY 09: Chevrolet shows Blazer car during the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.The show will open to the public on February 11 and run through February 20. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, USA – FEBRUARY 09: Chevrolet shows Blazer car during the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.The show will open to the public on February 11 and run through February 20. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
âââââââCHICAGO, USA – FEBRUARY 09: Toyota shows Supra car during the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.The show will open to the public on February 11 and run through February 20. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: Chevrolet shows off their electric 2024 Corvette E- Ray at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
âââââââCHICAGO, USA – FEBRUARY 09: Toyota shows IQ car during the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.The show will open to the public on February 11 and run through February 20.âââââââ (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, USA – FEBRUARY 09: General view on the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.The show will open to the public on February 11 and run through February 20. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, USA – FEBRUARY 09: General view on the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.The show will open to the public on February 11 and run through February 20. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: A $2.8 million Lamborghini Countach is displayed at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: Cadillac shows off their 2023 Lyriq Debut Edition electric SU at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: Toyota introduces their 2024 Grand Highlander at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, USA – FEBRUARY 09: General view on the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.The show will open to the public on February 11 and run through February 20. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: Ford shows off their new Mustang at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: A $2.8 million Lamborghini Countach is displayed at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: Tom Doll, president and chief executive officer Subaru of America, introduces the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: Ford shows off their new Mustang at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: Ford shows off their new Maverick FX4 at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: Stellantis introduces their limited edition Jeep Rubicon 4xe at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: Stellantis introduces their limited edition Jeep Rubicons at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The interior of the all-new, three-row 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is shown during the world premiere event at Chicago Auto Show on February 8, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. – Japanese automaker Toyota said Thursday, February 9, 2023, its net profit for the third quarter fell eight percent, but it left its full-year forecasts unchanged.
The world’s top-selling carmarker, which reshuffled its top executive line-up last month, reported a net profit of 727.9 billion yen ($5.6 billion), down from 791.7 billion yen a year earlier. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 09: Ford shows off their new Bronco at the Chicago Auto Show on February 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The show, which is the nation’s largest and longest-running auto show, opens to the public on February 11. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Kevin Hunter, president of Toyota Motor Corporation North American design studio introduces the all-new, three-row 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander during world premiere event at Chicago Auto Show on February 8, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. – Japanese automaker Toyota said Thursday, February 9, 2023, its net profit for the third quarter fell eight percent, but it left its full-year forecasts unchanged.
The world’s top-selling carmarker, which reshuffled its top executive line-up last month, reported a net profit of 727.9 billion yen ($5.6 billion), down from 791.7 billion yen a year earlier. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
“It's good seeing everybody out enjoying it,” he said.
Jennifer Morand, the president and general manager of the Chicago Auto Show, said more people are trying electric vehicles than ever before.
"A lot of people are curious about EVs and whether or not it is right for them, so by coming out the Auto Show, you can experience an EV,” she said.
Stratton said EVs are one aspect of the auto show that stand out this year.
“We have a plan to put one million electric vehicles on the road by 2030,” she explained.
No matter what car you choose, there are more tracks this year to test them out. Jeep, Ford, Ram, Hyundai and Toyota all have their own test tracks. Additionally, a separate electric vehicle test track has been set up, with BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Nissan and Volkswagen
The Chicago Auto Show isn't only offering the chance to ride in a vehicle, but you can also get your REAL ID on site. More information on that is available here.
