Auto Show [[NAIAS). You Going? Thoughts......

**Zacha341** · January-20-10, 06:14 AM

I'm volunteering a bit at this years North American International Auto Show and have been able to really take my time checking out the show...

The Ford exhibit is receiving alot of buzz this year with much interest [[many people milling about in that area) in the Ford Fusion which is 2010 Car of the Year etc... the large Ford exhibit features many cars, many models you can actually sit in, displayed in a large exhibition area. More interest this year than in the past.

Three CCS [[College for Creative Studies) Transportation Design alumni are responsible for the engineering, design and implementation of the Ford Fusion. GO CCS! Which is located right in Detroit!!

Chrysler and GM have ample floor space at the show including an area specifc to the Cadillac line... The Cooper Mini car featured some new models. Lexus and Toyota is heavily promoting its hybrid and full out electric models.

Noteworthy is the indoor eco-track on the lower level which offers eco-rides of several electric cars featured at the show. The eco-track this year takes up 3/4 forth of the lower level with a small water fall section.

Attendance is down, and I noticed a lack of printed promotional/ marketing materials provided by the manufacturers. There was a time when you'd leave the show loaded with glossy posters and tons of varnished, high end brochures and booklets. Not any more.

I had to search hard to find the few samples I could...

**French777** · January-20-10, 06:19 AM

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...FREE/100119842

Seems like attendance is up...

anyway, My family and I are going. Every year we go to Greektown for dinner and then head over to Cobo. The show seems to get better and better every year, but I am only 17 so I haven't been to that many NAIAS shows yet.

**Zacha341** · January-20-10, 06:31 AM

Oh, good! My shift of volunteer work is in the early part of the day, weekends and I volunteered the early part of Monday, MLK day. I wish the vended food was less as you cannot take anything into the exhibit floor from home... you are sorta limited on the eating options in general. Smart that you guys eat "before" you go!

Originally Posted by French777

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...FREE/100119842

Seems like attendance is up...

anyway, My family and I are going. Every year we go to Greektown for dinner and then head over to Cobo. The show seems to get better and better every year, but I am only 17 so I haven't been to that many NAIAS shows yet.

Ravine · January-20-10, 06:59 AM

Hell no I'm not going, for the same reason why I never go.

Why the hell should I pay to get into a place where large corporations are promoting, and advertising, their goods? What, I'm stupid, now?

It puts me in mind of folks who walk around wearing clothes with big designer logos all over them. You didn't actually pay for that stuff, did you, I hope?

**kryptonite** · January-20-10, 08:57 AM

I went on Saturday with two friends. We enjoyed the exhibits and had a good afternoon in general. We had lunch at Z's first then after the auto show we dropped in at Charlie's Bar on Springwells for a couple of beers.

It was my first auto show in several years, it was a great time. The crowd seemed huge.

**East Detroit** · January-20-10, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by Ravine

Hell no I'm not going, for the same reason why I never go.

Why the hell should I pay to get into a place where large corporations are promoting, and advertising, their goods? What, I'm stupid, now?

Well, to be pragmatic, its cheaper than spending all the time and gas money going to all those different dealers.

I also like to see the upcoming models, the prototypes that may or may not come, checking out current models without salespersons nearby, enjoying the various interactive displays and celebrating our hometown industry with thousands of others.

**wolverine** · January-20-10, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by Ravine

Hell no I'm not going, for the same reason why I never go.

Why the hell should I pay to get into a place where large corporations are promoting, and advertising, their goods? What, I'm stupid, now?

It puts me in mind of folks who walk around wearing clothes with big designer logos all over them. You didn't actually pay for that stuff, did you, I hope?

I never thought of it that way. Then again, I don't walk around angry and pissed off at everything.

**Zacha341** · January-20-10, 10:16 AM

Yeah, I get that - the ritual of going started for me in undergrad where it was part of what the curriculum nearly... then after that I did not go for some time...

Now I go or volunteer only every other year... I have friends and family that have touch points in the supply industry etc. trying to hold to their lively hoods, ala what the "corps" will trickle down at this point.

So it has negative and positive sides... as to how one might feel about corporate industries or government "infused" ones such as Chrysler and GM...

And no, I rarely wear anything with a logo per se. I work in advertising and marketing so I know who much advertising and promotions cost, so I choose not to be a walking 'unpaid' billboard.... LOL!

Originally Posted by Ravine

Hell no I'm not going, for the same reason why I never go.

Why the hell should I pay to get into a place where large corporations are promoting, and advertising, their goods? What, I'm stupid, now?

It puts me in mind of folks who walk around wearing clothes with big designer logos all over them. You didn't actually pay for that stuff, did you, I hope?

**Zacha341** · January-20-10, 10:20 AM

PS. I was volunteering at an exhibit that did not require us to wear any thing except to dress business casual... [[College for Creative Studies). I think the exhibitors who did have to wear the emblem bearing clothing have those items given to them to wear.....

Originally Posted by Ravine

Hell no I'm not going, for the same reason why I never go.

Why the hell should I pay to get into a place where large corporations are promoting, and advertising, their goods? What, I'm stupid, now?

It puts me in mind of folks who walk around wearing clothes with big designer logos all over them. You didn't actually pay for that stuff, did you, I hope?

**Zacha341** · January-20-10, 10:22 AM

Yeah, I was hoping people would opt out of paying big money for the expensive Cobo vended food and find places to eat in the city. That's great for the city restaurant industry during this time!!!

Originally Posted by kryptonite

I went on Saturday with two friends. We enjoyed the exhibits and had a good afternoon in general. We had lunch at Z's first then after the auto show we dropped in at Charlie's Bar on Springwells for a couple of beers.

It was my first auto show in several years, it was a great time. The crowd seemed huge.

**dtowncitylover** · January-20-10, 10:39 AM

I went on Monday. It was first time I remember going. Apparently the last time was when I was three and my aunt had me attached to a leash, how embarrassing.

I went with a friend and two French exchange students; one of whom, wants a Ford Mustang [[they don't have that over there). My favorite realistic car was a Chrysler Concept based off of the Lancia Delta. The Bentley Mulsanne is a beauty. I was impressed and though even though I've never been I can see how smaller it has become. Hopefully with the expansion more car makers that left will come back.

**65memories** · January-20-10, 11:01 AM

My son and I attend every year...it's a tradition. We've been going every year since he was 6. We take the People Mover over from Greektown, then return to Greektown for dinner. Since he just turned 21 this year, he was able to enter the casino for the first time [[he even won $30.00). We enjoyed the show this year, especially the innovation aspect [[electric cars, new technology, etc.). Attendance seemed to be way down [[we went yesterday, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., had no problem parking in the Greektown structure or waiting for the PM). We also noticed a lack of printed merchandise, but an increase in attractive models [[the human kind) adorning each exhibit. I understand the argument that you're paying to see some things you could see for free in dealer showrooms, but it's not really synonymous. You have a chance to make comparisons among cars on the spot and it's always interesting to see what's planned for the near future.

**artds** · January-20-10, 12:28 PM

I went for the first time in years and really enjoyed myself.

Ford had the best cars of any automaker on the floor hands down. Although I thought it was a little strange that they didn't have a single concept car at the show, which I suppose has a positive element to it since that means you can actually buy anything Ford was showing.

GM's designs were pretty good too, especially the Cadillacs and Buicks .

Chrysler is still trying to sell the public on lackluster designs like this I'm afraid...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8xd/4288813328/

...and as a Jeep owner I was disappointed that they didn't have the 2011 Grand Cherokee at the show.

**kryptonite** · January-20-10, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by wolverine

I never thought of it that way. Then again, I don't walk around angry and pissed off at everything.

Wolverine, it's not nice to make me laugh so hard while i'm eating lunch.

good reply! ha!

**smogboy** · January-20-10, 01:35 PM

Generally I don't go to the NAIAS unless there is a specific reason for me to go [[ie. looking to buy a new car with some immediacy or to take out of towners to it). I don't have any hatred of the show at all and I understand that it's more of a showcase for the automobile manufacturers. It's always neat to see the concept cars but it's also very frustrating seeing them and yet hardly ever seeing them go into production. Being surrounded by car people and information at our disposal here in town, I really don't need to go to this event to see the cars themselves. I can read all about the specs, the new widgets and new features online. I have no problem with the people that want to go to this event; it's no different to me than people who go to sports card show, high school football, hunting & gun shows, trailer/ RV shows, comic book conventions, Star Trek conventions or otherwise. It's just another event- cool to the people who are into it, amusing to the casual and generally blown off by the people who don't care.

Just because we happen to live in an area where car is still spoken regularly does not mean we're somehow obligated to go. I still support all of my automotive friends and sincerely hope that they have great success with their products. I hope that the people who do go have a great time. And for those who don't go to this event find what makes them happy as well. It's an event here in town that draws a lot of enthusiasts from all over the world; if nothing else let's not poo poo an event held in our area.

Is this event any more bothersome or irksome than any other event? It is what it is. Enjoy it if you're into this sort of thing and if not, no big deal either. Find your bliss.

**KENSINGTONY** · January-20-10, 03:16 PM

I went last Sunday,was at the show 9 hours.I enjoyed it like I always do-my 41st year in a row of going to the auto show.Yup,I'm a car nut-big time.

Ravine · January-20-10, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by wolverine

I never thought of it that way. Then again, I don't walk around angry and pissed off at everything.

You make it sound like the latter leads to the former. Actually, it's the other way around.
If I could get myself to just stroll around with my brain dis-engaged, I'd probably be a little more cheerful.

[[And, I didn't mean folks walking around the Auto Show with those t-shirts on; I meant folks walking around anywhere with those t-shirts on.)

But, I daresay that my mood has been mis-interpreted. I'm not angry and/or pissed off about either of these matters. If folks choose to let large corporations [[whose executives float around in private jets) and bullshitting clothes designers make fools out of them, it's no skin off my nose.

**dookie joe** · January-20-10, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by Ravine

Hell no I'm not going, for the same reason why I never go.

Why the hell should I pay to get into a place where large corporations are promoting, and advertising, their goods? What, I'm stupid, now?

It puts me in mind of folks who walk around wearing clothes with big designer logos all over them. You didn't actually pay for that stuff, did you, I hope?

Dig that. I never understood how a company could charge good money to allow people to see what they have for sale. Maybe $2-3 might be understandable. But how much are Auto Show tix? More than your average movie.

Besides, call me boring, but I just can't get excited about looking at the new model of the Ford Taurus. I guess the concept cars are pretty cool sometimes, but overall I don't see the point in walking around looking at unremarkable cars that usually aren't a hell of a lot different from what you see on the street already.

Now, I can certainly see the appeal of something like the AutoRama, with the souped-up hot rods, dragsters, etc. But I never got the appeal of the Auto Show:

"Wow, look, Marge! It's the new Dodge Caravan!"

"Neat. I like the bigger cup holders."

**adamjab19** · January-20-10, 06:57 PM

I go once every few years. It's nice and I don't mind the cost.

However, why doesn't this thing turn into more of an event. Discounts at restaurants [[some have this I know) around town, tastefest type thing of restaurants in Cobo, concerts in Cobo or around downtown at night.....am I missing somehting but this thing happens in Detroit why not show cars and make it more about Detroit.

bartock · January-21-10, 01:51 PM

Something's up. There are police and fire trucks all over the place and groups of people standing around.

**espark** · January-21-10, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by artds

...GM's designs were pretty good too, especially the Cadillacs and Buicks .
Chrysler is still trying to sell the public on lackluster designs like this I'm afraid...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8xd/4288813328/
...and as a Jeep owner I was disappointed that they didn't have the 2011 Grand Cherokee at the show.

************************************************** ***
Actually...there were some more interesting cars there. 8) See the rest of my NAIAS photos for examples. http://www.flickr.com/photos/n8xd/se...7623120675731/

--Keith [[n8xd)
************************************************** ***

**adamjab19** · January-21-10, 09:18 PM

espark- were you at the autoshow monday morning? Same models when I was taking pictures. Nice camera work though. I just got a DSLR and am still learning it...overexposed some of mine.

**espark** · January-22-10, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by adamjab19

espark- were you at the autoshow monday morning? Same models when I was taking pictures. Nice camera work though. I just got a DSLR and am still learning it...overexposed some of mine.

That bright spot lighting can sure mess with the automatic exposure.

I told my camera to watch for blow-outs [[there's usually a mode on the lcd that will blink on those spots after the shot) I justed adjusted the exposure with the +/- and took another shot. Somtimes half the car was blinking! I went on Tuesday morning. On that day they let you in an hour early [[8am) if you have a camera -- so you could get more car and less people. I think it was to give those that want to participate in their photography contest a chance to get better shots.

I heard those Audi's are hot cars...guess the little fire started over there yesterday.

Did you post any of your shots on-line?

**jackie5275** · January-22-10, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by dookie joe

Dig that. I never understood how a company could charge good money to allow people to see what they have for sale. Maybe $2-3 might be understandable. But how much are Auto Show tix? More than your average movie.

Besides, call me boring, but I just can't get excited about looking at the new model of the Ford Taurus. I guess the concept cars are pretty cool sometimes, but overall I don't see the point in walking around looking at unremarkable cars that usually aren't a hell of a lot different from what you see on the street already.

"Wow, look, Marge! It's the new Dodge Caravan!"

"Neat. I like the bigger cup holders."

Agreed, all the cool stuff is shown to the media only during press preview week. By the time it's open to the general public, it's just a big showroom with maybe 1 or 2 exhibits that have some sort of special feature that everyone else wants to see too, and you have to wait in line 2-3 hrs to see it.

**xphillipjrx** · January-22-10, 01:52 PM

I live in Chicago and I have been going to that show since I moved here in 1998. If you want to get good shots without people then go after work during the week. The crowd thins out all the way till closing time. Make sure you're all the way in the back when they give last call and then you can go back to front taking photos with nobody in the shot. Here are two of my favorites from last year.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...gerMirror1.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...vyIntro1-1.jpg