Detroit Auto Show 2012: First Tractor to Be Featured

Cars and trucks are typically the focus on the North American International Auto Show. But the Detroit auto show 2012 will take a different angle this year as the first tractor is featured.

Craftsman is one of the auto show's sponsors and its CTX Tractor Series will be on display in the lobby of Cobo Center, where the annual show is held. In other words, cars, trucks and crossover vehicles from the world's automakers will still be the products on display on the show floor, but visitors including media for the event that opens Jan. 11 will get to see tractors.

We do welcome them as a sponsor. It's more of a marketing relationship, said auto show spokesman Joe Rohatynski, according to the Detroit Free Press. They'll be on the concourse along with Hot Wheels, several universities, banks, the food court, the History Channel.

Craftsman said the CTX is loaded with automotive-inspired features.

Because Detroit has given us great performing cars with best-in-class features, we think it is logical to bring a tractor to the auto show that does the same, said Kris Malkoski, vice president and general manager of the Craftsman brand.

The tractor, with prices starting at $2,299, will debut in stores in February. It's got a 30-horsepower engine, but doesn't go as fast as the cars on display at the auto show -- topping out at about eight miles per hour. Yet it still maintains car-like qualities, Rohatynski said.

It does have four wheels and two cup holders and that's fact, he said.

The Detroit Auto Show 2012 gets underway at downtown's Cobo Center with news media preview days Jan. 11-12. The annual charity preview is Jan. 13, and the public show runs Jan. 14-21 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information visit www.naias.com.