Last Wednesday began the 2012 New York International Auto Show, a formidable opportunity for manufacturers to display their latest models and prototypes of tomorrow's vehicles. While I expected some of them, at least the Americans, to present a couple of race cars, the reality was otherwise.
Save for an old IndyCar machine and a Camry-based pace car from NASCAR's Sprint Cup, there wasn't anything even remotely close to the world of motorsports.
Ironically, marketing gurus keep telling us – through cascades of press releases and other PR blitzes – that auto racing is important to the industry and that success on the track means success in showrooms.
Oh yeah? Then why don't they bring their race cars at major auto shows?
I fully understand that manufacturers pay lots and lots of money for a spot on the show floor. There's not a single square foot to waste. Consequently, automakers prefer to showcase their production models for the upcoming model year than a championship-winning race car.
It's a shame because most visitors at these big events shell out big bucks to see the whole package. By the way, the world of auto racing is greener and more environmentally-friendly than ever. Why not showcase that turbodiesel-powered endurance car, that electric formula car or others that use a hybrid powertrain?
Sad, isn't it? Future customers could see how racing helps automakers improve fuel efficiency. After all, is there a better proving ground for these new alternative solutions? I don't think so.
Like I said, manufacturers prefer to showcase their production models – and that's a big mistake if you ask me.
Save for an old IndyCar machine and a Camry-based pace car from NASCAR's Sprint Cup, there wasn't anything even remotely close to the world of motorsports.
Ironically, marketing gurus keep telling us – through cascades of press releases and other PR blitzes – that auto racing is important to the industry and that success on the track means success in showrooms.
Oh yeah? Then why don't they bring their race cars at major auto shows?
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| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
I fully understand that manufacturers pay lots and lots of money for a spot on the show floor. There's not a single square foot to waste. Consequently, automakers prefer to showcase their production models for the upcoming model year than a championship-winning race car.
It's a shame because most visitors at these big events shell out big bucks to see the whole package. By the way, the world of auto racing is greener and more environmentally-friendly than ever. Why not showcase that turbodiesel-powered endurance car, that electric formula car or others that use a hybrid powertrain?
Sad, isn't it? Future customers could see how racing helps automakers improve fuel efficiency. After all, is there a better proving ground for these new alternative solutions? I don't think so.
Like I said, manufacturers prefer to showcase their production models – and that's a big mistake if you ask me.