2008 Chicago Auto Show

In 1901, Chicago saw its first official auto show. Except for the period during and after World War II, an auto show took place each year in the Windy City.


With the opening of the 2008 event, Chicago is celebrating its 100th auto show—the only city in the country to reach that rung. Though the number of journalists attending the Chicago show falls well behind the total who trek to Detroit in January, Chicago boasts the largest public attendance. More than a million Chicagoans visit the sprawling McCormick Place facility along the lakefront, south of downtown, to gaze upon more than a thousand new models.


Performance, utility and environmental sustainability highlighted the Chicago show. Yet, several automakers that normally launch vehicles in Chicago brought no new products to introduce. Toyota/Lexus, Nissan/Infiniti, Audi, Mazda, Subaru, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz held no news conference.


Here are our "ten best" new models that debuted in Chicago:

1) Performance Icon Revived: 2008 Dodge Challenger

Few would disagree that Dodge "stole" the show in Chicago. With an authentic automotive icon waiting for raves from impatient fans, excitement was inevitable.