We can’t tell you how many times we have heard the question asked by media, automotive and PR executives, as well as the public — Is the North American International Auto Show still relevant, or has it run its course?

When it returned last fall, after a three-year absence, no one knew what to expect. We were told the move out of its traditional January would create a more interactive show with experiential displays for the public to enjoy. What we ended up with was fewer new model reveals and much less extravagant displays. Also notable was the smaller number of automakers on hand.

Most people would agree that 2022 did not live up to expectations.

However, for 2023, there are twice as many auto brands who will be displaying their vehicles at the show. There’s also a new indoor track for electric vehicles, more outdoor ride-and-drives, and a new mobility forum featuring auto executives. Gone are the monster trucks and giant rubber ducks.

It is great to see the number of brands that will be on display at Huntington Place (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Ram, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Polestar, Porsche, Rolls-Royce and Volvo) for consumers to compare, much like the old days.

While there’s still room for progress in the years to come, this year’s NAIAS is starting to look like the North American International Auto Show we expected to see when the move to warmer weather was announced.