2023 Chicago Auto Show Recap/Gallery: Step in the Right Direction

The Chicago Auto Show has often been a dreary event from a new-vehicle launch perspective. A fun event for consumers, sure, but often overshadowed in terms of vehicle debuts by the shows in Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles.

This year felt different. While there were only three automakers that had major debuts -- Subaru, Volkswagen, and Toyota -- the show felt quite busy.

Some of that was a bit of catchup as I checked out vehicles that launched between the 2022 L.A. show last November and now. Some of that was related to the drumbeat of the non-show news cycle. But there seemed to be a consensus among attending media and PR professionals that the show seemed to signal better signs to come. Even if the debut schedule was a tad light. There just seemed to be a feeling in the air.

I suppose it helps that the weather was relatively warm for Chicago in early February. I think there's also a sense that while the COVID pandemic is very much not over, there may be light at the end of the tunnel. The world has already mostly returned to pre-pandemic normal (though some of us are still masking. I still mask most of the time but I've been letting my guard down slowly).

Furthermore, there seems to be a sense that maybe the supply chain and chip problems that plagued the auto industry will peter out and maybe the market madness that has sent both new and used-car prices soaring could ease up.

We'll see if I am right -- vibes are subjective, after all, and not a particularly reliable factor in predicting the future. In the meantime, here's a random assortment of vehicles I shot pics of during the media days. Some you may have seen before -- either from our L.A. show coverage or over the past few days -- but I figure a nice photo dump will help you ease into the weekend.

Check 'em out below, after the photo credit tag and newsletter promo.

[Images © 2023 Tim Healey/TTAC]

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