Car shows are all about looking at, touching, drooling over, kicking the tires and stealing the radio knobs from an array of new cars on display. Everything but driving them. A few years ago Chrysler added a ride-along experience on an indoor track at the Chicago show and last year the Detroit show featured a similar track for eco-friendly rides.

GM hopes to take things a step further by allowing show goers a chance to actually drive select models on city streets in downtown Detroit. The Detroit News reports that the car maker is negotiating with convention center and city officials to make this happen. GM believes that a short test drive will persuade buyers to consider the auto maker's products when they make their next purchase.

Given the lousy weather Detroit experiences in January and the traffic congestion around Cobo Hall, one wonders if such a move is well advised, but, if approved, the program no doubt will be quite popular with attendee.

What could possible go wrong?

--M.D.