Well, our crack editorial team took another voyage to the opening day of the 2004 NY Auto Show in New York City. After spending $896 for a hotdog and soda at the Jacob Javits Center we took a good look around. In the first part of our four-part series about the car show, we want to start off with the obvious (well, it's only obvious if you go to the show).
Booths that were packed
It's the same booths every year. Literally. Oh, there's the occasional concept car that attracts people to a booth for a short spell but it's the same manufacturers that design vehicles which draw the crowds. Who are they? Audi, BMW, Mercedes (can barely move in their area), VW and the exotic manufacturers (Bentley, Maybach and Maserati). As I've mentioned some time ago, the Maserati Quattroporte is a sight to behold.
Booths that were empty
As with the booths that are packed, the same goes for booths that are empty: it's often the same every year. Before we get to the regulars of Snoozeville, there was one surprise: Saab. Now, granted Saab's not a major sales leader, but this year there should have been more activity in the booth because Saab's got two new vehicles to show off: 9-2x and the 9-7. Neither seemed to be drawing a lot of interest and that really should worry Saab execs. Who else: How about Buick? Even the old guys we hung around with hated them. Finally, Oldsmobile. Snore! Granted they are closing up shop soon but in years past the Olds booth was a guaranteed place to grab a few z's.
Booths that indicate the company is in serious trouble
A few years ago it was Oldsmobile and you know what's happening with them now (see above). But this year the award goes to Pontiac. Their big deal is the GTO which is simply mediocre in every way (other than being fast... but at $32k it ain't cheap); it even gets a gas-guzzler tax with the automatic transmission (which is standard). The booth was so empty you could hear the sales drop.
Best booth
Jeep. Man, was it fantastic. Jeep set up a big off-road course in the back area of the Javtiz Center. Jeep officials would drive you around the course in order to show off their products capabilities. Now we didn't have the patience to wait in line but we did watch a few of the Jeeps tackle the course with ease -- it was, by far, the best commercial for the product we've seen in a long time. Hey Hummer! Get your pretty trucks off our city streets and into the mud already. Afraid to get 'em dirty?
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