Re: North America Int'l Auto Show, Detroit 1-19 to 1-27
Went to the Auto Show on Saturday.
This is the LAST time to go on opening day. We (my daughter & I) arrived shortly after the doors opened and waited about 10 minutes to get in the door (had complimentary tickets). The show was very nice - especially the first 2 hours. We broke for lunch early as we had not yet eaten and drove in from Dayton - leaving at 0530 hrs and stopping in Toledo to drop off my wife at her mom’s and pick up the free ticks. After lunch the crowds were tough. Crowds were especially bad around Lambos, Ferrari’s, Mercedes, Bentleys and Audis...basically anything the crowd could not afford.
It is always fun, but my typical MLK day attendance is alot easier and less crowded than opening day - obviously.
Impressive cars - I really liked the Lexus IS-F - V8 etc....sharp car. The Audi R8 looked almost like a kit car in person to me - obviously a great car, great performance, I’m just not enamored with the look. Porsche was not there - fact reported before the show because something to the effect that potential customers would not attend. Frankly, Porsche’s non-attendance really bothers me - like they’re too good for Detroit??? Next to the oil sheik’s in the Middle East North America has to be the largest market. Really liked the BMW M6 - but for the price - I guess you should.
Chinese are coming - last years exhibits looked like Honda clones - this years exhibits looked like better Japanese clones and overall better looking and better quality looking.... they’re coming....
All the AMGs on the “second” floor of the Mercedes exhibit were impressive - except the Gelandawagon (sp?)-again like the Hummers - I just don't get them at all. Alot of familiarity with AMGs & Mercedes (with the SRT-6) - still same cruise control stock, turn signal stock and horrible radios (for the price).
Chrysler had a 2008 Roadster there - S/N was 74577 or similar - I think an ’07 S/N?? - just called an 08. Didn’t spend much time at it...and no one from Chrysler seemed to notice the car either. They had some 300 limo to which my daughter and I had a our Chrysler pic taken - see below - which was on the web later. Chrysler was pushing Hemi's and new Ram....wonder if they have seen the price of gas...plus there small cars - Avenger & Caliber - frankly - horrible compared to the competition
Overall, still an impressive auto show....just too crowded on an opening day - good for Detroit.