Detroit's auto show expected to make up some track
 

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It ain't what it used to be.

But businesses in Windsor, Ont., are looking forward to the spillover effect from a recovering Detroit auto show.

Prior to the steady stream of bad news events that began with the 9-11 attacks, Thom Racovitis, owner of the Tunnel BAR-B-Q, said Friday the downtown eatery would enjoy a 20 to 25 per cent jump in sales from the North American International Auto Show. Border hassles, the financial crisis, a soaring loonie and tepid economic growth have cut that figure in half to about 12 per cent.

"Going back about 10 years ago, it was a lot better than it has been," said Racovitis. "We had a lot of business from the show, like the press corps. Our sales are off, but that's reflective of the overall economy.

"We'll see what happens this year."

If optimistic projections from organizers of the 2012 NAIAS bear out, the economic spinoffs on both sides of the border will reflect a bigger and bolder show.

"That's the big story this year and you will see that," said Bill Perkins, NAIAS chairman. "The confidence of the car manufacturers is very high, they have a good year under their belts and they can see the market is really starting to come back. You will see that in the displays, the intros, the unveilings, the press conferences.

"We're just expecting a phenomenal show this year."

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