Having been an auto critic for 11 years almost exactly, I've had the opportunity to travel to many auto shows. Other than the obvious Quebec City, Montreal and Toronto shows, I've been to the New York, L.A., Detroit, Chicago and best of all, Geneva events.
My first real auto show (outside the Canadian ones) was New York in 2004. This was a big one! The new Mustang was being unveiled and I actually sat beside and spoke to Carroll Shelby (although I'm sure he does not remember), the man, the legend. The glitz, the glamour and the excitement were palpable.
The following show I assisted was the 2005 edition of the Detroit autorama. Once again, I remember a show, a monumental event complete with a Hyundai Sonata dropping from the ceiling. Other memories from other shows were performances from the likes of the Blue Man Group and Sugar Ray. Never you mind the free food and booze at every stand...
As day turned into night, the show was over...
Last year's crop of shows were, well, not dismal but just about. Certain manufacturer's displays looked more like parking lots or bare hangars. As the 2008 season progressed, some carmakers simply decided to back out.
This brings me to the 2009 L.A. Show and the fact that Ferrari, Lamborghini, Infiniti, Nissan and others plainly snubbed the event. More drop-outs are expected in the shows to come.
Although the car business has stabilized (i.e. is no longer sinking), budgets are still very tight and I honestly am beginning to wonder if the “Auto Show” formula has not passed its due-date what with webinars, webcasts and all other types of digital and online unveilings.
My first real auto show (outside the Canadian ones) was New York in 2004. This was a big one! The new Mustang was being unveiled and I actually sat beside and spoke to Carroll Shelby (although I'm sure he does not remember), the man, the legend. The glitz, the glamour and the excitement were palpable.
The following show I assisted was the 2005 edition of the Detroit autorama. Once again, I remember a show, a monumental event complete with a Hyundai Sonata dropping from the ceiling. Other memories from other shows were performances from the likes of the Blue Man Group and Sugar Ray. Never you mind the free food and booze at every stand...
As day turned into night, the show was over...
Last year's crop of shows were, well, not dismal but just about. Certain manufacturer's displays looked more like parking lots or bare hangars. As the 2008 season progressed, some carmakers simply decided to back out.
This brings me to the 2009 L.A. Show and the fact that Ferrari, Lamborghini, Infiniti, Nissan and others plainly snubbed the event. More drop-outs are expected in the shows to come.
Although the car business has stabilized (i.e. is no longer sinking), budgets are still very tight and I honestly am beginning to wonder if the “Auto Show” formula has not passed its due-date what with webinars, webcasts and all other types of digital and online unveilings.