Listen to the article 14 min

This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback.

The auto industry conference calendar for 2025 is filling up fast. 

The lineup includes traditional showcases, such as the Los Angeles Auto show, the Detroit Auto Show, as well as the long-running New York Auto Show. 

Beyond new vehicle showcases, several conferences will focus on emerging trends like electric vehicles, battery technology, hybrid powertrains and the continuing evolution of software defined vehicles and connectivity.

To help our readers sort through the crowded field of upcoming industry conferences, Automotive Dive put together a list of the events that piqued our interest. We’ll update this list in January and June, as more details are announced, so be sure to check back periodically.

Since our team won't be able to attend every conference on this list, we'd love to hear your insights on the state of industry events. Are you looking forward to a particular show? What topics do you think will spark the most conversations at these events? 

Let us know with an email to [email protected].

CES 2025

Jan. 7 – 10

Las Vegas

Over the past few years, the annual CES (formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas has expanded to become an important event for automakers to showcase their latest technology alongside high tech consumer products. 

As modern vehicles become more like smart electronic devices on wheels, CES is a venue for automakers to unveil new vehicles and other advanced technology, according to the event website. It is also an opportunity to explore business partnerships with attendees from around the world.

CES has recently highlighted emerging trends in artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and sustainable technology, which is appearing more frequently in today’s modern vehicles. At CES 2024 for example, Honda Motor Co. shared its vision for the future when the company revealed its futuristic Space-Hub and Saloon EV concepts.

Detroit Auto Show

Jan. 10 – 20

Detroit

The Detroit Auto Show will once again be held in January next year — after moving to an outdoor "Motor Bella" concept in Sept. 2021 and 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The event is one of the largest and most influential auto shows in the U.S. and globally, attracting thousands of automakers, car dealers and enthusiasts from all corners of the world, per the website. In addition to showing off their latest models, the auto show has also served as a platform to discover emerging industry trends in and around Detroit, including EVs, autonomous driving tech and connected car technology. 

This year, the Mobility Global Forum will be held concurrently with "industry days" at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show. The two-day symposium will feature C-level keynotes from the world’s leading OEMs that will address the changing world of mobility and transportation, including the trends and issues facing today’s rapidly changing auto industry. 

The 2025 show will also feature a driving demo called the “EV Experience” where guests can sit alongside a professional driver and traverse through an indoor track in different EV models.

NADA Show 2025

Jan. 23 – 26

New Orleans

The National Automobile Dealers Association's annual convention and expo is expected to be one of the largest auto industry marketplaces. Per the event website, more than 500 companies will be showing off thousands of products, solutions and services for car dealers, so they can better serve their customers and sell more vehicles.

The conference informs dealers and other attendees of emerging trends in the automotive retail space, including new solutions to help dealers grow their sales and boost competitiveness in an evolving, technology-driven retail environment.

The show also offers workshops and exchange sessions, which are peer-to-peer roundtable discussions exclusively for auto dealers and managers to brainstorm and help problem-solve challenges facing car dealers. The sessions are facilitated by NADA subject matter experts. 

Chicago Auto Show

Feb. 8 – 17

Chicago

Like the Detroit Auto Show, the Chicago Auto show is also one of the largest and most prestigious automotive events in North America. It was established back in 1901. 

The show floor will feature hundreds of different vehicles from over two dozen manufacturers, including new SUVs, EVs and hybrids, as well as concept cars and mobility technology trends, per the event website. Automakers attending the 2025 Chicago Auto show include Ford Motor Co., Subaru, Honda, Motor Co., Hyundai and Kia. In total, nearly 1,000 different vehicles will be on display. 

The show floor also includes auto-related exhibits, competition vehicles, antique and collector vehicles, and interactive exhibits for attendees.

The event has been produced by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association since 1935, which is the oldest dealer organization in the U.S.

EV Charging Summit & Expo

March 26 – 27

Las Vegas

The 2025 EV Charging Summit & Expo will focus on the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to better serve commercial, municipal and residential customers. 

The expo will offer pre-conference workshops, thought leader sessions and industry panels providing educational sessions focused on financing, infrastructure, operability, and return on investment for EV charging operators, per the website. The expo will also feature over 180 speakers across 65 sessions and is expected to draw around 240 exhibitors. 

Discussion panels will include topics such as addressing operational challenges and education and communications to better serve customers. Other panels will offer insights into charging provider partnerships with utilities, efficient site selection and grants available for construction of new charging infrastructure.

WCX 2025

April 8 – 10

Detroit

SAE International's World Congress Experience is another industry event centered around mobility, but remains largely focused on the engineering side. 

The annual World Congress Experience offers a unique opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in automotive technology, connect with industry peers, and explore emerging trends, per the website. The event will cover trends like electrification, autonomous driving, sensor technology, artificial intelligence, connected vehicles and sustainable mobility.

The event brings together engineers and researchers, along with industry leaders and global innovators. The show floor will also display the latest products, technology and services from automotive and mobility companies. 

SAE says it’s the largest technical mobility event in North America.

The Battery Show South

April 16 – 17

Atlanta

The regional Battery Show and Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo aims to bring together supply chain players in the emerging Southeast U.S. “Battery Belt.” 

The expo will feature the latest battery technologies for hybrid and electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems, per the website. It will also explore solutions for recycling. Attendees of the event will have the opportunity to connect with engineers, directors, and executives from EV battery and energy storage companies to learn more about the latest innovations.

The show serves as an important regional event, as the Southeast U.S. begins to outpace other regions in EV & battery manufacturing commitments.  According to the event’s organizer, 10 of the top 11 OEMs will have EV battery plants in the Southeast U.S., including Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Nissan, Rivian, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.

The New York Auto Show

April 18 – 27

New York

The long-running New York Auto Show celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2025. 

The show usually features a wide range of vehicles, from sports cars, electric vehicles, high-end luxury sedans and sports cars, per the website. Exhibitors include both major automakers and up and coming brands like Lucid and Rivian.

The 2025 show will also include interactive exhibits, floor tours, educational seminars, and opportunities to test drive new vehicles. For those on the East Coast, the show has typically been one of the must-attend events for car enthusiasts.

Although the full agenda for 2025 has not been finalized, the 2024 show featured an indoor EV test track when attendees were given the opportunity to experience a drive in some of the latest battery-powered vehicles from brands such as Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Lexus, Nissan, and Volkswagen. 

CTI Symposium

May 13 – 14

Novi, Michigan

The 2025 CTI Symposium aims to provide a platform for industry professionals to learn about emerging automotive powertrain technologies. Focus areas for the event include electric and hybrid powertrains, power electronics and battery systems.

Exhibitors include leading companies showing off cutting-edge technologies and products related to automotive powertrains, per the website. 

In addition to exhibits and networking opportunities for attendees, the show will feature keynote addresses and panels from industry experts.

AutoTech 2025

June 3 – 5

Novi, Michigan

AutoTech 2025 is the flagship annual event of Wards Auto, which has been covering the auto industry since 1924. The event brings together over 3,000 industry leaders to Michigan each year for two days of networking and learning opportunities.

The event is likely to be focused on emerging technology, as it was in 2024. Keynote topics last year included software-defined vehicles, autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, smart cockpit design, cybersecurity, as well as future trends and innovation. 

The full agenda for AutoTech 2025 is still being finalized. 

SDV USA

June 29 – July 1

San Francisco

The software defined vehicle conference will focus on the mobility innovators of California, including in Silicon Valley. 

The event will be largely targeted at professionals working on software development, vehicle architecture, over-the-air updates, cybersecurity and AI, per the website. Attendees can also learn from industry experts about the recent advancements of software-defined vehicles. Speakers and moderators scheduled to appear are from leading companies, including Continental, Bosch and Aptiv.

Topics for 2025 include the challenges of integrating software components into complex vehicle systems and ensuring their reliability and performance. It will also look at the impact of government regulations and industry standards on the development and deployment of connected, software-defined vehicles.

The Los Angeles Auto Show

2025 Dates TBD

Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Auto show is one of the biggest in the U.S., with floor space of over one million square feet. Hundreds of the latest gas, hybrid and EV models are expected to be on display as in prior years. 

Although the 2025 show details have not been announced yet, automakers attending the 2024 show in November include Acura, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Nissan, Ram, Subaru, Toyota, VinFast and Volkswagen. 

The 2024 show also includes the return of “Electric Avenue”, where guests can get behind the wheel and test-drive and experience driving the latest electric vehicles on a dedicated test track, which extends nearly a mile around the South Hall of the LA Convention Center.

Automobility LA

2025 Dates TBD

Los Angeles

AutoMobility LA is a separate single-day, technology-focused event that compliments the Los Angeles Auto Show each year. But rather than showing off new vehicles, it's centered around the future of transportation. 

In previous years, the event showcased advancements in the automotive industry, including electric vehicles and autonomous driving technology. 

Automobility LA also offers a dedicated area for startups to show off their latest products and other mobility innovations. Attendees can also experience the latest technologies firsthand through interactive demos and test drives. 

Following the conclusion of Automobility LA, the Los Angeles Auto Show typically opens its doors to the public the following day.