Detroit Auto Show 2026: What It Means for Used Car Buyers Portland
Bestsellers become legacy - concepts become reality
Detroit Auto Show 2026: What It Means for us?
The Detroit Auto Show wrapped up its 2026 run last weekend, and if you weren't paying attention, you missed something important. Not because of the concept cars (though Cadillac's Elevated Velocity with suicide doors looked wild). Not because of the celebrity appearances or the charity gala. But because what happens in Detroit in January shapes what shows up on used car lots in Portland 3–5 years from now.
Let's talk about what actually matters from this year's show and why you should care.
What Showed Up (And What People Actually Talked About)
The 2026 show ran January 14–25 at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit. Forty-one brands showed up—everything from Ford, GM, and Stellantis to exotic stuff like Koenigsegg, Pagani, and Lamborghini parked in "The Gallery" section. Over 100,000 test drives happened on indoor tracks. Racing Day brought IndyCar drivers and demo laps. It was big - and still ongoing.
But here's what mattered for real buyers:
The 2025 Dodge Charger won Car of the Year. The new Charger—now electric and gas inline-six—divided people. Some loved it. Some hated that Dodge killed the V8. Either way, it won NACTOY (North American Car of the Year), which means it's going to sell, depreciate in 3–4 years, and eventually show up on used lots as an affordable performance sedan.
Ford's Bronco RTR debuted. Ford keeps pushing the Bronco brand. The RTR (Ready to Rock) variant is built for off-roading, which means in 5 years, we'll see used Broncos on lots with 40k miles, aftermarket suspension, and depreciation that makes them accessible to Portland buyers who want weekend adventure capability.
Electric vehicles everywhere. Ford, GM, Volkswagen, BMW, Tesla, and Rivian all had EVs on the indoor test track called "Powering Michigan EV Experience." People drove them. Some were impressed by the acceleration. Others worried about charging infrastructure and winter range. The point: EV adoption is accelerating, which means gas-powered performance cars from 2020–2025 will hold value longer because they're becoming scarce.
Modded Detroit showed 150+ modified cars. This wasn't just factory stuff. Local enthusiasts brought modified BMW M3s, Subaru WRX STIs, Mitsubishi Evos, and custom builds. It reminded everyone that car culture isn't dead—it's just changing. And it validated what we already know at Prime Motors Co: people still want engaging, mechanical cars they can modify and drive hard.
Why Detroit Still Matters (Even If You Don't Care About Auto Shows)
You might be thinking: "Cool, but I live in Portland. Why do I care what happened in Detroit?"
Because Detroit previews what you'll be shopping for in 3–5 years.
Every car revealed at an auto show eventually becomes a used car. The 2026 show featured the 2025 and 2026 model years, which means by 2028–2030, those cars will be coming off leases, hitting the used market, and depreciating into the $30k–$60k range where most enthusiasts shop.
Example: The Ford Maverick Lobo won Truck of the Year at the 2026 show. Right now, it's a brand-new truck. In 2029? It'll be a 3-year-old used truck with 40,000 miles, priced under $25k, perfect for someone in Portland who wants a compact truck that fits in the city but can haul gear to the coast.
Another example: The Hyundai Palisade won Utility of the Year. It's a three-row SUV with upscale features and Korean reliability. In 2029, it'll be an affordable used family SUV competing with Honda Pilots and Toyota Highlanders—but with better tech and lower prices because Hyundai depreciates faster than Toyota.
This is how the used car market works. Auto shows preview what becomes available later.
What We're Watching
At Prime Motors Co, we pay attention to auto shows because they tell us what's coming. Here's what we're tracking from the 2026 Detroit show:
Performance cars are getting turbocharged and electrified, but manual transmissions are disappearing. BMW, Mercedes-AMG, Audi—they're all going dual-clutch automatic or electric. That means cars like the E90 M3, F80 M3, and manual-transmission Porsches are becoming collectibles, not depreciating assets. If you want a manual performance car, buy it now. In 5 years, they'll be rare and expensive.
Electric SUVs are flooding the market. Ford, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen—everyone has an electric SUV now. That's great for people who want new EVs. For used car buyers? It means gas-powered luxury SUVs (Range Rover, BMW X5, Audi Q7) will depreciate harder because buyers are shifting toward EVs. If you want a gas-powered luxury SUV, the next 2–3 years will be the best time to buy one used.
Overlanding and off-road vehicles are hot. The Bronco RTR, Jeep concepts, and Ram TRX all had massive crowds at the show. People want adventure-ready vehicles. For Portland buyers, that's perfect—our proximity to mountains, coast, and trails makes off-road SUVs practical. Expect used Broncos, 4Runners, and Wranglers to hold value strong.
Luxury brands are pushing ultra-luxury concepts. Cadillac's Elevated Velocity, Mercedes Maybach concepts, Bentley and Rolls-Royce displays—luxury is getting more extreme. But here's the thing: when luxury brands push higher, their "entry-level" used cars become more affordable. A 5-year-old Mercedes C63 AMG depreciates hard because buyers are chasing the new S-Class. That creates opportunities.
How This Connects to Prime Motors Co
We specialize in curated, high-performance German and Japanese cars—BMW M, Mercedes-AMG, Audi RS, Porsche, Subaru STI, Mitsubishi Evo, Lexus F Sport. The cars that were modified and celebrated at the Detroit show's "Modded Detroit" section? Those are the cars we sell.
Here's why the Detroit Auto Show matters to our inventory:
It tells us what's becoming collectible. When Ford stops making V8 Mustangs, the used V8 Mustangs become more valuable. When BMW stops offering manual transmissions, manual M3s become collectible. Auto shows preview these shifts.
It shows us what buyers care about. The fact that 100,000+ people took test drives on indoor tracks tells us people still want to drive cars, not just own them. That validates our focus on engaging, driver-focused performance cars.
It reminds us that car culture is alive. The "Modded Detroit" section with 150+ custom builds proves that enthusiasts still exist. They still modify. They still care. And they still shop for cars that deliver real driving experiences.
At Prime Motors Co, we're not chasing trends. We're stocking the cars that auto shows prove people will want 5 years from now: manual transmissions, naturally aspirated engines, lightweight chassis, rear-wheel drive. The stuff that's disappearing from new car lineups.
What You Should Do
If you're shopping for a used performance car in Portland right now, here's what the Detroit Auto Show tells you:
Buy manual transmissions now. They're disappearing. In 5 years, they'll be rare and expensive.
Don't be afraid of higher mileage on well-maintained cars. The shift toward EVs means gas-powered performance cars will be driven less as collectors hoard them. A 60k-mile BMW M3 with full service records is a better buy than a 20k-mile M3 that sat in a garage.
Performance SUVs will hold value. Broncos, 4Runners, X5 Ms, Cayennes—anything that combines performance with practicality will stay strong.
Luxury sedans will depreciate hard. If you want a Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series, wait 2–3 years. EV luxury sedans are flooding the market, which will crush gas luxury sedan values.
Japanese performance cars are appreciating. Subaru STI, Mitsubishi Evo, Lexus RC F, Toyota Supra—these cars were celebrated at the Detroit show's modified section. They're becoming collectibles. Buy them before prices climb.
Auto shows aren't just about shiny new cars and concept vehicles. They're about understanding where the market is going so you can make smarter used car buying decisions today.
The 2026 Detroit Auto Show told us that performance is shifting toward electric, manual transmissions are dying, and car culture is more alive than ever. For used car buyers in Portland, that means opportunities: gas-powered performance cars will depreciate as EVs take over, manual transmissions will become collectibles, and adventure-ready SUVs will hold strong value.
At Prime Motors Co, we're watching these trends and stocking accordingly. If you want a car that delivers real driving engagement—manual transmission, naturally aspirated or turbocharged engine, proper chassis tuning—we have it. And we know that 5 years from now, these cars will be harder to find and more expensive to buy.
Prime Motors Co
2627 SE Holgate Blvd, Portland, OR 97202
(971) 512-0578
sales@primemotorco.com
primemotorco.com
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10AM–7PM (PDT)
Come by and see why the cars we stock today are the cars people will wish they bought 5 years from now.