Cars seemed to be the stars at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), and isn’t that the way it should be?
Focusing on the cars is a welcome change of pace at a show that increasingly seemed to focus more on theatrical gimmicks in recent years, diverting attention from the real purpose of the show—showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of car makers, while allowing potential car buyers the chance to compare products and, yes, kick a few tires. Members of the press may miss the elaborate buffets at press previews and product reveals that included gasp-inducing displays like the bungee-jumping executive who dove from a balcony for an announcement about his company’s products at one previous press preview. But those of us interested to see the latest cars and learn what vehicle we may purchase next can appreciate an approach with fewer frills.
While this year’s show admittedly included fewer cars overall, car fans still found many new models and information about the newest alternative technologies at the automotive companies and their drive to survive and thrive in today’s challenging economy.
Show cars included plenty of flashy red sports cars like Camaros, Mustangs and Challengers that all seemed to draw large enough crowds around them that it made taking decent photos of the vehicles difficult.
While the enthusiasm generated by the sporty cars makes me wonder if the car-buying public is really ready to go green with their driving habits, those wanting a greener alternative find plenty of options on display at the NAIAS, like battery-electric Global Electric Motorcars from Chrysler, a variety of hybrids and the cute Chevrolet Beat concept car. The mini size of some of these vehicles seemed to give some show-goers pause, like the woman I overheard wondering how she could manage to get a few bags of groceries home in one mini model that appeared to have no trunk or storage space.
I’ve read reports of thinner crowds at the public show days and at the Charity Preview, a formal pre-show event raising money for local children’s charities. Couple the decreased attendance with the political pressure to produce profits with increasingly green products, and it’s easy to understand the anxiety within the automotive industry.
But there still seemed to be a bit of the old spark of enthusiasm as car buffs checked out displays like cool cutaway versions of vehicles and engines, Wii games and interactive computer consoles featuring programs highlighting the new vehicles and innovations, and presenters extolling the features of the new-model vehicles as the usual cadre of folks roamed the show floor, continually dusting and wiping fingerprints off of the shiny new vehicles.
The moment that spoke most about the true spirit of the show (and the Detroit region in general) occurred for me, oddly enough, at the Volkswagen exhibit, where a small black VW Beetle parked in front of a “Caraoke” screen literally rocked as two young girls seated inside of the car sang along at the top of their lungs with the old Gloria Gaynor tune “I Will Survive”.
And so, I think, we will.
© Dominique King 2009
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