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Today we’re talking about the legendary stunts of the Detroit Auto Show, the stabilization of used car prices after pandemic volatility, and Starbucks shutting down stores for a barista reboot under its new CEO.
The Detroit Auto Show has long been a stage for iconic moments, from smashing Jeeps through glass to launching entire luxury brands. Once the epicenter of automotive innovation, the event has struggled in recent years to maintain relevance amid rising costs, digital marketing trends, and competing global expos.
- During the '90s and early 2000s, the show was the must-attend event for automakers and media, with 4,000 journalists.
- Some theatrical reveals included Bob Lutz driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee through a plate glass window in 1992, a Dodge Ram crashing through cardboard in 1993, Kermit the Frog driving a minivan in 1995, and a cattle drive introducing the 2009 Dodge Ram.
- Automakers invested millions in jaw-dropping spectacles, like Cirque du Soleil performances and celebrity appearances, making it a race to outdo each other every year.
- The rise of CES and specialty expos, coupled with automakers shifting to digital-first marketing strategies, diluted the Detroit show's dominance.
- The Detroit Auto Show has since returned to its January roots, focusing on engaging consumers rather than relying on the media spectacle it once was.
- "The world has changed. That is reflected in the auto show," said David Cole, chairman emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research.
- This year's show will be January 10 to January 20, 2025, at Huntington Place in Detroit
Used vehicle prices are expected to stabilize further in 2025, bringing relief to buyers after years of pandemic-induced volatility. While still higher than pre-pandemic levels, prices are trending toward normalization.
- Cox Automotive predicts wholesale prices will end 2025 up 1.4% compared to December 2024.
- Prices surged 46.6% in 2021 and 14.2% in 2020 but dropped sharply in 2022 and 2023.
- Retail prices remain slow to decline, with December's average listing at $25,565, down 3% year over year.
- Used vehicle sales are forecast to rise 1% in 2025, with 20.1 million retail sales.
Starbucks is hosting a mandatory three-hour training session later this month as part of CEO Brian Niccol's effort to revitalize the brand. Niccol’s said in a session description,“We will refocus on what has always set Starbucks apart — a welcoming coffeehouse,”
- The training, titled "Welcome Back to Starbucks," will run from January 21-26, with employees attending at staggered times.
- Stores may close dining rooms but keep drive-thrus open to accommodate the sessions.
- Niccol, known for his turnaround at Chipotle, has already introduced changes like faster drink prep and s
Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.
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