DETROIT (WWJ/AP) – It appears the North American International Auto Show is staying put at Detroit’s Cobo Center.

The Detroit Auto Dealers Association said Wednesday that it will sign a multi-year contract to keep the annual show at Cobo.

Group spokesman Marc Harlow tells the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News that the deal’s being signed at a Thursday noon news conference.

The dealers have repeatedly warned that Detroit could lose the show to another city unless Cobo expanded and improved.

The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority took control of Cobo from the city in 2009 and began what are expected to be $200 million in renovations. That’s adding about 150,000 square feet of display space to the 700,000 it has now.

This year’s show is open to the public Jan. 14-22.

Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for complete coverage from our AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert during Press Preview days Jan. 9 and 10.

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