The Detroit Auto Show returned in January 2025 and with high attendance despite having fewer participant brands compared to the previous September 2023 edition. But let’s jump right into our review of this year’s edition and why was unique from a car-cultural perspective.
The 2025 edition of The Detroit Auto Show welcomed 22 brands, 13 fewer than 2023’s, with a mix of automakers and dealer-supported vehicle displays.
Corporate-supported vehicle displays: Alfa Romeo, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Kia, Lincoln, Ram, Toyota and Volkswagen. Dealer-supported vehicle displays representing BMW, Honda, Hyundai, INEOS, Mazda and Mercedes-Benz.
On the exhibition floor, visitors continued to enjoy American brands, many of them with great lineups, as well as European and Asian counterparts such as Volkswagen and Toyota respectively. Four thrilling indoor tracks provided visitors with ride-along experiences in everything from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to hybrids and electrical vehicles (EVs).
Two great concept cars were unveiled, with The Cadillac Opulent Velocity receiving the EyesOn Design Award. And although the Opulent Velocity was indeed a masterpiece, in my humble opinion, the Buick’s Wildcat had a better design (stay tuned for Wildcat’s VCG car tour).
NORTH AMERICAN VEHICLE OF THE YEAR.
Visitors had the unique opportunity to see an American icon with 46 years of difference. It felt like witnessing a family reunion between father and son after decades without seeing each other. The new 2025 Free Wheeling Bronco Big Bend was on the Ford booth, only a few meters away, from a marvellous 1979 Free Wheeling Ford Bronco Ranger XLT brought by Vanguard Motors at their amazing exhibition Detroit Through The Decades, bringing to visitors memories and dreams alike.
Enjoy the Broncos!
For vehicles full details please follow links bellow.
We are in the midst of a car (r)evolution, a transition from internal combustion engines (ICE) to hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs), one hundred years since the popularization of (ICE) vehicles. The unveiling of two electric versions of iconic cars added more relevance to the historical and cultural distinction of this 2025 edition.
Firstly, the recipient of the North American Utility vehicle of the year, and the only electric people’s hauler in the market as per VW, the Volkswagen ID Buzz 1st., the electric version of the iconic 50s-60s Volkswagen Bus or minibus, later called T1 in the 90s.
Secondly, 2025’s only electric muscle car, The Next-Gen Charger by Dodge. Although the ID BUZZ was inspected with excitement by potential buyers, the Next-Gen Charger was met with an abundance of curiosity and also disbelief (Next-Gen VCG tour will be coming soon).
The show, also expanded its format to give a space to current car culture trends for the joy of car enthusiasts and the general public alike, from classic cars, picture cars (vehicles used in Film and TV), to luxury and modified vehicles. On the show floor along with new 2025 stock models, was an Ultra-Luxury, Exotic Collection by The Gallery.
Vanguard Motors brought us an astonishing collection of American classics that included the 1979 Bronco, while FOXXTECCA’s The Culture of Mobility brought us jewels of lowriders. At the lower level of the Huntington Place, car lovers encountered the Modded Detroit display with 150+ amazing community cars.
If you still wonder why this Detroit 2025 edition was especial, well, let’s put it this way: This will be seen as the year when (IC) engine muscle cars officially died, or evolved into electric versions, except for the Ford Mustang GTD. Also the year where finally the new Volkswagen ID Buzz was presented and made available to order, and where time travel was possible for Bronco fans.
I hope you enjoyed our review and most importantly our Virtual Car Tours. Become a member to have full access to our entire virtual car tour catalogue, either because you are buying a new vehicle or are just a car fan like us. Cheers!
VCG Team.
