Running a fleet of automobiles in an enclosed space is usually a recipe for disaster, but the EcoXperience lives up to its environmentally conscious name by not only providing a wilderness-themed driving space but also only allowing attendees the chance to pilot electric cars. Ford, General Motors, and Mitsubishi are the major manufacturers who will be providing the vehicles in question, although boutique electric car maker Tesla will also be on hand to demonstrate their new products and allow consumers to get their first taste of what the small company hopes will be the future of the automotive market.
There is somewhat of a melancholy air hanging over the entire Michigan EcoXperience. The space that has been allocated in the basement of the Cobo Center is only available due to the fact that many automakers have pulled out of the Detroit show due to budget tightening. The recession has moved the Chinese car companies out of the basement where they found themselves last year and up onto the main floor where they occupy the space vacated by heavyweights such as Nissan. Organizers of the show paint the EcoXperience as a great way to not only turn a potentially negative situation into a positive, but also interest consumers in environmentally-friendly vehicles.
