Detroit Autoshow visited

[tpraceman]

Well I did the Auto Show Tuesday.......We figured with everyone back to work and those not were all watching the Obama thing the crowds would be smaller.
Well we were right from 2m to 5 pm we were able to walk around as if it was a private showing.

Lambo booth very tiny and cheap, 3 cars parked side by side and NO lambo people just a glass barrier with 2 models talking in the back.

• Daewoo No cars at all, just signs in a booth
• Hyundai had a big booth and lots of cars counted at 4:30 pm 3 people in the booth looking at a car.
• Honda booth looked 6 years old and saw 17 people in the booth
• Bentley 3 cars models and a barrier some slowed as they walked by.
• Audi had a nice display all white cars except two red ones on either end. R8 looked very nice about 10 people
• BMW llooked at every car along with the other 15 people in the booth. The BMW freak accountant I took with me commented "I think the interior looks cheap compared to the new Taurus and MKS
• Merc had every car they make and some ones I would not mind having but would not trade the GT for all of them combined (about 8 people)
• Tesler looked cool but nobody to show you around
• Lotus same roped off with prices on stands
• VW (about 10 people) had a real cool 2 seater on display that was a prototype but working and looked like they were going to production (Saturn Sky look alike)
• I asked where the Phaeton was and he the German accent VW fellow laughed and said "do you really think anyone in the US can afford such a car?......no it is not in this show.......you should go see the CC" We just walked away.
• 3 empty booths.

GM total of 53 people in all. 12 at the camaro/0 at the vette/ 2 in Pontiac area/3 in Saturn......Caddy had 5. At one moment We stood in the walk way and watched the speakers on the feature cars talking to a non-existent crowd. Very sad actually and I mean not anyone within 50' of him.

Chrysler, (total 15 people) last years cars and a few prototypes. just parked on carpet no fancy display. The ACR and standard Viper did have a few people. Jeep had 3 or 4 people walking by.

Now I am a Ford fan but even those who were just any car fans with me said the same thing.

• Ford display was very interactive 600 people estimated. Transmissions and engine working displays with engineers showing the differences.
• SONY and the Flex display was very nice.
• Mustang display was very cool (you need a condom if your a stang fan)
• The cars look fantastic inside and out
• GT-black bullet-Shelby500-vert (I Liked them all but the bullet dash turned me on)
• Taurus was everything Dave said an more the display you got to see but the cars had people walking by going WOW just WOW.
• Lincoln cars were amazing the new Black Tuxedo was so diamond sparkle I had to ask. The metallic is actually ground glass in the clear coat. The MKS Twin Turbo was sit for me but for a SUV I got to have a MKT
• At least 600 people in the booth the whole time. Lines to get near the Mustang and Flex models....took 10 minutes to sit in the flex and I think this thing was built for people who are 7' foot NBA players. Sony surround system sounded like a theater.
• I know a model who works the Lincoln booth and she said it has been this slow the whole show. I said to her 99% of the show is hear in the Ford area
  
• F-150 was a big hit 50 people or so and the sawed in half was done to the point you could see 1/2 of everything and I mean everything.......The Raptor display was tucked in the back and at least they had a tire off to see the shocks.
  
  Jag nice display cars just nice amybe 15 people white and black theme.
  
  
• So if you are a Ford Fan or Ford stock holder you might want to take heart that nobody but nobody could hold a candle to you at the show.

 

[Superfly]

Cool to hear that Ford was tops!! :thumbsup

See also: http://jalopnik.com/5132477/booth-professionals-of-the-2009-detroit-auto-show

"Booth professionals" :lol

 

[Cobrar]

3 visits to the NAIAS - Ford press preview, Supplier/Industry days and one public day. My observations on pro-rata head count are similar, but the Mini display continues to remain a big draw on every visit - sales are up year/year ~ 25%. Borne of olde Detroit, I love the long option/accessory list. More people per square foot than any exhibit.

It was particularly nice to hear the (foreign & domestic) media actually have very positive feedback re: Ford's product portfolio (Taurus, Fiesta drew considerable comments). I also noted more than a few comments Re: Ford mangements' continuing to express a high level of confidence in their ability to go it w/o federal assistance. They too would like to believe, but await consumer reception to the new product and a change in Ford's US operating performance.

 

[nthfinity]

I went Saturday as part of the fun of the event are the large crowds,getting behind the ropes to speak with the factory (or sometimes dealer) representatives (sometimes throwing them a curve ball), and spending the day/ evening in Detroit. I don't mind driving in obtuse weather with some knobby tires and a 4x4.

The crowd on Saturday was respectable from 9am til 2pm, but it was much larger once the air was warmer outside. Ford had the best booth by leaps and bounds; and GM's booth was the biggest disappointment. How is it possible they didn't bring a current production ZR1/ or Z06? Or release the info that the 2010 ZR1 has LC or something along those lines? The Camaro's looked good. One in all black with red/orange headlight halo's looked sinister... but lacked the punch when you open the hood. The Converj looked good. I didn't stop by the Volt.

The Chinese cars had 5 people roaming in that area, including myself... The lens cap was on.

I found it ironic that Tesla was directly across from Fisker. Apparently, Fisker have won the court battle for now. I asked the representative if they were making a Karma variant that would be powered by a gas-only engine. She said "not yet, but a lot of people have expressed such an interest." Good. It's clear they have come a long way since the Autoshow prototype last year.

Lotus made it's NAIAS debut this year, thanks to the National Dealership Association; represented at the last minute by Auto Europe. With such short notice, Lotus could not meet the logistics for showcasing the Evora here. That said, over at the Dodge booth, a thinly re-skinned Evora is on display as an electric vehicle.

Lamborghini dropped the ball with only showing select customers a model of the SV on the 13th; and showcasing new "options" for the existing range of cars. Instead, they were making a fashion show with the models this year. They did look 100% better than they have for the last few years. Some of my photos will be published in the Lambo Club of America's magazine coverage of the show.

The V10 R8 lacked the visual tenacity I was hoping for over the 4.2 V8 variant. Carryover pieces from the V12 TDI concept would've looked good.

The Mercedes SL 65 Black looked amazing; But perhaps too aggressive to drive it... nah! The Sterling Moss SLR was interesting.
The Basement was a joke, except for the sophomore in Formula SAE; and a few Michellin design finalists.

Ford's booth was definitely the best by leaps and bounds. With exception to the lack of concepts from Mazda, and the French looking Lincoln concept, it was top notch! It was a wise move by ford to include a 2009 Mustang GT side by side with a 2010 for those less savvy about design.

 

[AJB]

I agree with all of you guys. I was there on Sunday, Monday and Thursday for many hours each day.
Ford area was top-notch. We have used that same display for several years now and it still looks fresh. People and product specialists were enthused.
Did you notice that Ford had music throughout the whole area..vs quiet?

The biggest difference however was PRODUCT> ...Most of the Ford Product (Mustang, Taurus, Focus, Fusion Hybrid, Lincoln MKS and other product) is new AND can be purchased by the consumer now or in a few months. Much of Chrysler, GM was noted as 'Prototype' or 'concept'..ie read that as "may be available in 3 years IF we approve the program and are still alive"

So, If the economy can turn around a bit , Ford is ready. If the economy stays 'dead' ---it makes no difference---at least 3 will be in Chapter 11.
AJB

 

[tpraceman]

MKT options

Read this and tell me if this Lincoln doesn't wet the techy whistle...
I thought this was a promo for a sci-fi car but this thing is real....

http://jalopnik.com/5129179/2010-lincoln-mkt-crossover-for-the-super+segmented-masses

 

[AJB]

Quite loaded! I looked at the Vehicle at the show but was not aware of all the 'goodies'.
thanks....If I didn't need my F150 to pull my trailer and GT, I 'd get one.
AJB

 

[Gierkink]

Thanks to all of you boys for the posts on the show. I feel like I was there!

Rob

 

[Kip Ewing]

The SL65 rocked.
It was really cool how the thing was executed; steel quarters, carbon fenders, etc.

I was really taken with the MKT. I hadn't seen the production version, yet.

I was really pleased with the interior execusion.

 

[Empty Pockets]

"I asked where the Phaeton was and he the German accent VW fellow laughed and said "do you really think anyone in the US can afford such a car?......" - tp'.

When do you think this idiot will be appointed Germany's Ambassador to the U.S.?

 

[tpraceman]

 

[tpraceman]