Impressions From The First Press Day at The Detroit Auto Show – “Let them eat cake”
The dark-cloud news published in the national press lately, about how the U.S economy is in the toilet…how we are headed for a recession or even worse a depression, was nowhere to be seen today at the car show…in spite of a persistent grey fog of snow…that is expected on a Detroit winter day.
The new car and truck models, upbeat mood, optimistic presentations and prognostications are reflective of the past two years of record sales and not the sword of Damocles that some pundits are predicting will fall on our collective heads.
The security at Cobo Hall is over the top…normally you need just credentials to get in to the festivities, but this year you also need your credentials validated, which means that after you get your badge and go on your way you are stopped and asked to stick out your wrist to put on a teal blue wristband…kind of like the ones you get in a hospital or maybe a better example is the wrist-bands that “spring-breakers” get in Cancun to show that they are on the free drink plan…not a bad idea here in Detroit.
Besides having to wear fashionable Teal blue wrist bands…and having your credentials re-validated, this year every video camera (not still camera or digital still cameras or even Polaroid cameras just video cameras) need their own ‘hall pass”, a bright orange sticker that proclaims it has been sniffed by explosive sensitive dogs and that it will not blow up…I am happy to report to my dear readers that my cameras passed the sniff test…
Well I was now ready to join the hordes of reporters in the Michelin Media Center , a sleepy and of course hungry bunch this early Sunday morning…the jockeying for a prime position to park for the next few days reminded me of lunch time in a LA restaurant…lets see… “The view is better from this table, but the sound is better at this one” ….well you get the idea.
Event One- Edouard Michelin, CEO of Michelin Tires
Yes that right…this Michelin is the Grandson of the founder of the company; I guess you pay extra special attention to your products if your name is on them…
Monsieur Michelin arrived at the Press conference riding down the aisle on his own Dean Kamen Segway Human transporter (and looking like he was having lots of fun doing it).
Michelin explained (and we had a story on) that this great new invention is balanced on Michelin tires that have been specially designed and built to serve this special purpose…frankly it did look kind of cool…but now on to the real meat of his presentation…the results of this years version of alternative fuel promotion the Challenge Bibendum, which this year was held for the first time in the US, and featured the largest group of hydrogen, electric, fossil fuel and clean diesel cars ever assembled in one place…he said that only the Challenge Bibendum could bring together a Hydrogen Powered Shelby Cobra, a liquid hydrogen refueling station and a hydrogen fuelled bus that could make it from Las Vegas.
Now On To The Exhibit Floor
I had my teal blue wristband on and I was ready to rumble…but first…as you try to enter the exhibit floor Cobo all those carrying backpacks or camera cases or attaché cases, were told to place their luggage on the floor, then line up opposite their luggage, take three steps back and wait as another dog sniffed the line-up…once again I passed the sniff test and in I went….
WOW!…I had forgotten just how incredible the Detroit show is…as far as I could see were exhibits filled with shiny new cars and trucks…some of the exhibits were new but many like the Two story Ford castle was the same as last year, ( as a stock holder and generally frugal person I applauded this turn of events).
General Motors Showcased Six New Concept and Production Vehicles
Commander Lutz and his staff: Gary Cowger new President of North American operations and Wayne Cherry Chief Designer…blitzed the audience with a barrage of 6 exciting new vehicles 3 production models and 3 concept cars…and they were all fabulous…its nice to see Car Guys run car companies…details of each car will be/are available in other stories.
On To DamlierChrysler
I was most concerned by what was not included in the presentation…after 20 plus minutes of a poorly executed Rob and Laura take off “starring” the Chrysler executives that thousands of workers and stockholders are counting on to perform a turnaround miracle (and here they were in a situation that was not funny or informative or even entertaining…but pitiful), Dr. Dieter was now ready to Unveil what he touted as the worldwide introduction of Pacifica a new “segment buster” (from the folks who brought the world the Mini-van)…it’s a …it’s a…it’s a …..STATION WAGON, wow and gee wilikers it may have some neat features as far as I am concerned it’s a STATION WAGON!
Where were the exciting concept cars of yesteryear and how was DCX going to break with their building negative tradition?
How did the management of DamlierChrysler allow themselves to be made to look so ridiculous and uncaring in a market place that does not call for laughs but for action…the press was there to hear and see what these guys have up their sleeves not on their chins.
Ford Unveils TONKA Truck concept
Hoping to continue their leadership position Ford introduced a bright yellow F-350 that gets better gas mileage by utilizing Hydraulic Launch Assist that captures the energy lost when the vehicle slows and stops and other fine features but how many truck owners want their vehicles named after a toy?
Honda Intros “The Pilot” A Family Sized SUV
Ho Hum
Lexus Adds Third SUV
$$$Ho $$$$Hum
More tomorrow unless the Teal Wristband really works in Greek town.
Bob Gordon President and Co-publisher