North American International Auto Show 2017: European OEMs
Diverse offerings highlight blend of traditional strengths with focus on U.S. market
2017/02/06
- Summary
- VW targets utility vehicles with Tiguan, Audi SQ5, Q8 concept; shows premium A5 and S5 Cabriolet
- Daimler offers variety with E-Class coupe, refreshed GLA crossover, and AMG GT sports cars
- BMW debuts 5 Series range and shows Concept X2 crossover
- Volvo highlights autonomous technology and displays luxury V90 wagon
Summary
 Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Concept |
The 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) was held from January 9 through January 22, 2017, with the show being open to the public starting January 14. The 2017 show recorded a total attendance of 806,554 visitors, surpassing the 800,000 visitor milestone for the fourth consecutive year.
Like their U.S. counterparts, European automakers at the 2017 North American International Auto Show made a point to demonstrate their involvement and investment in the U.S. market. Volkswagen reaffirmed the development of a North American Region unit to better react to regional dealer input and customer demands. The automaker also announced plans to launch two new models in the U.S. annually through 2020, and repeated its vow to invest USD 7 billion across North America from 2015 through 2019. BMW stated that it employed approximately 70,000 people in the U.S., had invested USD 7 billion in its Spartanburg facility over the last twenty years, and will add the X7 to U.S. production. Daimler announced a new USD 1.3 billion investment to SUV production in Alabama. Finally, Volvo mentioned the ongoing construction of its Charleston plant and the opening of an R&D facility outside San Francisco.
Unveilings by European automakers indicate a focus on the surging growth of SUVs and crossovers in the U.S.. Audi debuted the SQ5 and the Q8 concept, Volkswagen unveiled the Tiguan, Daimler showed the refreshed GLA, and BMW displayed the Concept X2. However, European automakers focused on their core models as well, displaying models such as the Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class Coupe, the BMW 5 Series, and the Volvo V90.
This report is the second of three reports which focus on the vehicles displayed at the 2017 North American International Auto Show. This report will focus on models showcased by European OEMs, including BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen and Volvo. The first report, focusing on key U.S. models at the show, has already been released. A third report detailing models from Asian automakers will be released at a later date.
Related reports:
North American International Auto Show 2017
U.S. automakers conservative in reveals, focus on popular segments
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