For those of you who aren’t privileged VM party crashers, er, journalists, the media days at the Auto Show are the two days that the Javits Center doors are open to members of the press, industry execs, and general auto industry professionals. It’s a great opportunity to get the glamour shots of all the latest cars that manufacturers have to offer, without having to part a sea of shuffling gawkers or ending up with tubby kids and fanny packs in your Ferrari pictures.
And there are, of course, the press conferences. These are the meat n’ potatoes of the press days, where each manufacturer gives a speech about the state of the company’s affairs, talks about the direction for the upcoming year, and officially reveals a new car to the public. Along with these debuts, the “booth professionals,” and the swag/booze, it’s all a glorious experience for the car enthusiast. I love the Auto Show. It’s one of my favorite events to attend every year.
Hai :)
This year, however, the cold hand of recession seems to have slid down the back of all the manufacturers’ pants, waking them up to the fact that they can’t carry on like they did last year. All of them spoke of “hard times” while revealing plans and vehicles focused on alternative fuel and economy. While there were those who peppered in a hot hatch, sports coupe, or luxury beast where they could, some could not hide the fact that times are tough.
The U.S. “Big 3″ stood out, in stark contrast to their showing last year. Ford had no press conference, despite having new Mustangs and Transits to talk about. Last year, Chrysler had a massive set-up dedicated to the reveal of the Dodge Challenger. Vice Chairman Jim Press was center stage in it all, with actors and sets, announcing that “it’s a brand new day” at Chrysler. And he was right…but it turned out to be a lousy, rainy one. This year, Chrysler’s stage was blindingly white and barren. Mr. Press arrived in a new Fiat 500, reminding us that a partnership between the two firms could mean good things, while going on to introduce the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which charged up the steps in true Jeep-like fashion.
Chrysler '08 vs. Chrysler '09
GM put Pontiac front and center at last year’s show, displaying the G8 GXP, which was produced, the Pontiac Solstice Coupe, which was only just, and the Pontiac “sport truck” which was not. All the while, a nameless band played three of their nameless songs while Bob Lutz and 50 Cent made nice. But ‘09 GM’s presence was a quick reveal of the GMC Terrain on a modest platform by no one with a record contract.
Before: sports cars, 50 & Lutz; After: none of these
Acura revealed their own crossover vehicle, the ZDX, marketed to those who are “addicted to the functionality of an SUV.” A horrible addiction – functionality. Hopefully, the ZDX will slowly wean us off.
...stupid public, all hung up on usefulness. we'll show 'em..
I’m sure it’s all predetermined, but Porsche usually rounds out the day’s conferences with the best conference, and the reasons are thus: You’ve spent the day carrying cameras, press packets, swag, pages of notes, and usually your jacket across the vast convention center since 9 AM to stand in front of a stage crammed with others doing the same with the goal to listen to someone speak for 30 minutes while you write down what they’re saying, usually about important but unexciting things, and hopefully have a chance to snap a picture or two of a car, that’s usually important but not terribly exciting, before you scurry off to the next platform for more. You’re tired. You’re burnt out. You hate cars now. You need a drink.
Then you round the corner and Porsche, like an oasis, materializes in the distance. It’s been there all day, but you haven’t seen it like this until now. There’s a lounge with couches, to rest your weary limbs. Tables are scattered around, next to race cars pulled from active duty for your amusement. And there’s a bar. Sweet heaven, they have a bar. You get a drink and relax. They pull the sheet off of a bright red sports car, and you suddenly remember why you came here in the first place.
It’s perfect. It’s the NY Auto Show. And you can’t wait to do it again.
Article originally posted on the VM Blog.
Alex Kalogiannis is the founder of AutoKinesis and (among other duties) chief auto writer for The Vigilant Monkey.