The Detroit Auto Show (North American International Auto Show) returned to its traditional winter schedule in 2025. The event took place from January 11 to 20 at the Huntington Place exhibition center. The show featured the largest American brands such as Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, and Toyota, alongside manufacturers from Europe and Asia. Visitors could not only admire new vehicle launches, but also take advantage of four test tracks, including dedicated off-road zones and presentations of electric powertrains.
Despite the rich program and strong commitment from the organizers, attendance reached approximately 275,000 visitors, significantly fewer than in the record-breaking year 2019, when attendance exceeded 770,000. In 2025, around 34 brands and nearly 500 vehicles were present, demonstrating that the event is still undergoing transformation.
Why a machinery manufacturer at an auto show?
Although Otinus does not manufacture cars, our machines play a crucial role in the automotive production chain. Together with the Polish Ministry of Development and Technology, we had the opportunity to represent Poland at the Detroit Auto Show, presenting our metalworking equipment as the foundation for manufacturing body panels, mechanical components, and vehicle structures. As a global machinery manufacturer, we take part in processes that enable the production of modern vehicles—from precision press brakes and hydraulic presses to automated cutting lines.
Our booth and meetings
At the Otinus booth, we welcomed representatives of major automotive corporations, component suppliers, and partners from the metalworking industry. We showcased the capabilities of our machines in the context of producing body, chassis, exhaust system, and other automotive components. Solutions enabling fast line changeovers and integration with welding robots and guillotine shears attracted particular interest. Participation in NAIAS provided an excellent opportunity to discuss future investments and how manufacturers plan to modernize their factories toward greater automation and sustainability.
Summary and next steps
Our presence at the Detroit Auto Show confirmed that Otinus machines are an integral part of the global automotive value chain. Despite lower attendance, the show remains an important meeting platform for manufacturers and suppliers, with its focus on vehicle testing and innovation continuing to attract industry interest.
For Otinus, this was the fourth consecutive event in the United States during the 2024/2025 season—following FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, IMTS 2024 in Chicago, and other events—as we continue our consistent expansion across the Atlantic. We would like to thank everyone who visited our booth and invite you to follow our upcoming initiatives. We will soon appear at further trade fairs to continue supporting the development of the automotive and metalworking industries.