Wow. One word: Wow. What a great show. The atmosphere was alive, the money was spent, the displays were nice, bright, energetic and all of this for one good reason: to sell cars.
Based on the visible investments made by many car manufacturers for this year's Geneva Auto Show, you can bet that they are all collectively looking forward to a grand and prosperous 2011.
If that's what they want then here's the secret: product. Given that I saw very little to bitch and complain about on the show floor, I think they're all in on it.
Here's my list of hits and misses, in no particular order.
1- Fiat Freemont
I don't know... Hit. Ha! I just thought I'd throw that one in for fun. We all know how popular the Journey is on our side of the Pond so that will probably translate into fair sales, in other words, it won't be a hit. Funny thing though that Fiat and Lancia are getting “American” cars before we get European cars. I'm going to look into this in the next few days.
2- Ferrari FF
Miss. But it really doesn't matter. This is the most “versatile” Ferrari ever which happens to have 660 hp. So yes, it will be fast. But think of it this way: like the often un-loved Porsche Panamera, it's the powertrain that will save the day. Take a look at this car's mad AWD system. I know a little about mechanic and all I wanted to do to the engine-drivetrain display was jump over the glass fence and start taking the front end apart. The cabin looks typical Ferrari, from a distance ('cause I couldn't get close enough) and I'm certain they'll all be sold in no time flat, like its 0-100 sprint.
Based on the visible investments made by many car manufacturers for this year's Geneva Auto Show, you can bet that they are all collectively looking forward to a grand and prosperous 2011.
If that's what they want then here's the secret: product. Given that I saw very little to bitch and complain about on the show floor, I think they're all in on it.
Here's my list of hits and misses, in no particular order.
1- Fiat Freemont
 |
| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com |
I don't know... Hit. Ha! I just thought I'd throw that one in for fun. We all know how popular the Journey is on our side of the Pond so that will probably translate into fair sales, in other words, it won't be a hit. Funny thing though that Fiat and Lancia are getting “American” cars before we get European cars. I'm going to look into this in the next few days.
2- Ferrari FF
 |
| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com |
Miss. But it really doesn't matter. This is the most “versatile” Ferrari ever which happens to have 660 hp. So yes, it will be fast. But think of it this way: like the often un-loved Porsche Panamera, it's the powertrain that will save the day. Take a look at this car's mad AWD system. I know a little about mechanic and all I wanted to do to the engine-drivetrain display was jump over the glass fence and start taking the front end apart. The cabin looks typical Ferrari, from a distance ('cause I couldn't get close enough) and I'm certain they'll all be sold in no time flat, like its 0-100 sprint.