Highlights from the Detroit Auto Show Media and Industry Days and Charity Event

Amanda Powell
Jan 25
1 min read

We’re recapping Industry & Media Day at the Detroit Auto Show 2026 breaking down the biggest moments, standout vehicles, industry trends, and what they mean for Detroit’s future. From automakers and tech innovations to design, mobility, and economic impact, this recap highlights what’s shaping the next wave of the auto industry and why Detroit remains the center of it all. Whether you’re in automotive, tech, real estate, construction, or just love seeing Detroit win, this recap gives you an inside look at what mattered most behind the scenes.

The Detroit Auto Show Charity Preview The 2026 Detroit Auto Show Charity Preview took place on Jan. 16 at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit. The Charity Preview event has raised over $100 million for children’s charities in Southeastern Michigan over the past 25 years. This year, beneficiaries of the Charity Preview included the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, The Children’s Center, The Children’s Foundation, Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund, Detroit PAL, and the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. The preview was amazing and was flowing with a crowd in tuxedos, furs and gowns as Detroit got its first look at the 2026 auto show and its shiny array of the latest offerings from automakers. R&B-pop singer Robin Thicke and Detroit rapper Trick Trick provided the evening's musical entertainment. They were set to perform on a stage emblazoned with the slogan "There Is Only One Motor City."