That said, the weather wan’t quite ideal Tuesday. Some wind gusts and rain showed the risks and challenges of hosting a mostly outdoor show. The Detroit Auto Dealers Association, which hosts Motor Bella and the NAIAS, has said it intends to return to Detroit in September 2022 with an indoor-outdoor show format informed by this week’s event in Pontiac.
Around 150,000 people are expected to attend Motor Bella over the course of its four public days Sept. 23-26. Organizers aimed to create a festival-like atmosphere for attendees, with dozens of food trucks, a kids zone and hands-on activations during public days.
Electric systems supplier Eaton Corp. established a presence at the show for media and industry days Tuesday and Wednesday. Scott Adams, president of emobility for the company, said Motor Bella is the first large in-person event in which Eaton has participated since the pandemic began and that being back is important for business.
“It’s important to maintain relationships,” he said. “It’s important to understand what’s going on in the industry, what others are doing, whether it be customers, competitors or partners.”
