In pictures: The offbeat side of the Detroit auto show
Cars are the stars of auto shows. But there’s always a lot of action behind the scenes. So here are 10 offbeat observations at this year’s North American International Auto Show
Remy is part of the K9 Explosive Unit at the show. He has one of the toughest jobs at the Cobo Centre – sniffing out dangerous goods in every single bag and purse before anyone enters the show floor.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Accredited media get a big pink media pass to enter the show, but you can’t access the floor without this orange wristband and photo identification in hand. Security guards at each entrance check every time you enter any hall, so it’s next to impossible to sneak into the show on media days.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Rachel Gordon, 23, performs some last-minute makeup touches in the bathroom at Cobo hall. Gordon is a caterer who works part-time at the show to put herself through university studying Business Administration.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Ever wonder what the show looks like in the wee hours of the morning? Here’s the answer – it’s the calm before the storm ahead of the North American car and Truck of the Year Award award announcement, which kicks off the show. This year’s winners – the VW Golf and the Ford F-150 pickup truck.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Thousands of temporary works like Joe – who doesn’t want to disclose his last name – work behind the scenes setting up and removing chairs for the big car presentations. They can remove and set up displays in the blink of an eye.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The media room is where journalists congregate to file stories and meet deadlines. Don’t let it fool you – it may look calm and peaceful now but, over the years, there have been a few scary moments between feuding journalists.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
More than 5,000 journalists are crammed into the Cobo Centre to see the latest, greatest vehicle launches. Television media from around the world broadcast live with bright lights and tall camera booms that can capture every move of the announcer and every angle of a new vehicle.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
There’s never a shortage of guys taking photos of the car models.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Nutritious snacks? That’s a rare sight at the show. It’s usually biscotti, apple turnovers, chocolate and lots of cappuccino up for grabs. It’s no surprise the bowl of fruit is still full after several hours.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Trekking through the snowy streets of Detroit leaves boots dirty and muddy. Shoe shiners Tahisha Gilbert gives her co-worker, known only as “Cobo Lucky”, a quick shine. They’ve been working the show for 10 years. But business is slow. “Journalists are cheap,” she laughs.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail