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It was as Hollywood as Detroit can get even with the film industry in residence here in Michigan. No one can upstage the Motor City when it comes to talking about cars and showing them off to the world. At Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit cameras were focused, video was running, and car stories were being made. International journalists by the hundreds arrived in Detroit last week for press conferences presented by many of the major automotive companies. They were impressed, and their coverage showed it. Within minutes of the press opening the internet was filled with new images and stories for car lovers to devour. The world press was joined by politicians from Washington, DC who wanted to be part of the comeback of Detroit. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, was given a tour of the exhibits and was seen in deep discussions with auto executives. Governor Jennifer Granholm was on the scene giving thumbs up gesture at the Ford press conference. This show which opens to the public after the journalists depart is an improved and glitzier version that last year. It is a full house of autos for now and into the future. An aura of renewal is in the air, and it was major part of most of the speeches from the auto executives.
Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, talks to auto executives at the NAIAS press conferences
The big buzz is the wealth of fuel alternative cars at the show. This message of eliminating a totally gasoline engine is everywhere. At the Toyota exhibit is the FT-CH a compact concept vehicle which is part of the Prius family.
Toyota concept car FT-CH, part of the Prius hybrid vehicle family
Nissan has a display for the new Leaf vehicle. The Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, stopped by this exhibit with his entourage staying for a long time getting information on zero emission and how this technology works. Almost every conversation at each press conference was one about a new generation of vehicles which will not use gasoline in the future. Joe Gallant, manager of exhibit and events, for Nissan stated, “It is not unlikely in 10 years we will see the end of the dependency on gasoline."
Seasoned Product specialists Peter Tocco and Ken Paul, at Nissan’s Leaf exhibit are experts on the zero emissions concept
Ford Motor Company swept all the award honors with the “Car of the Year”- the Ford Fusion hybrid and “Truck of the Year” the Ford Transit Connect. Scoring a historic double header is a major feature. This is only the third time in 17 years one manufacturer has won both awards.
This year is especially an important one for product specialist who works the show during both press and public days. Explaining the new technology and how cars work without a typical combustion engine is the hot topic people want to hear about.
Toyota product specialists discuss the new hybrid technology in their exhibit space
There is a bit of European flair to the show this year as Chrysler, which is now in alliance with Fiat Motors showcases their vehicle similar to the Paris Motor Show and Geneva and Frankfurt Auto Shows. The cars are behind a creative fence and a beautiful model stands beside the car making for great photo opportunities. This is how the European shows operate. Mainly, a European show runs for one week and it is over. In the USA there are over 73 auto show throughout the year in every major city and many smaller ones. Product specialists are trained on the product and competition, culture and history of the brand they represent and then travel the country with their knowledge and also gaining knowledge in each city about the regional wants and driving preferences.
Beautiful cars and beautiful women part of the European flair at the Chrysler exhibit
This year is a renewed experience at the auto show. As always the auto show is a great family venture or good way to spend a day or evening in Detroit. In 1910 Detroit captured the name of the Motor City and auto shows promoted that moniker. The auto show an American tradition.
Margery Krevsky is the author of Sirens of Chrome: the enduring allure of auto show models, published by momentum publishing. Available on amazon.com
www.sirensofchrome.com
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