Quick Final Take-Houston Auto Show
Primary take is, America’s Back! Walking from manufacturer to manufacturer I would say that overall the American vehicles pulled the largest crowds. VW and Audi seemed to attract the most onlookers for the imports. On the American side Ford, Chrysler, and Chevy pulled about the same number of onlookers. Attendees appeared to be very interested in interior electronics focusing primarily on the updated Nav/Radio/Info-Systems (with their honking massive displays). I thought I would see a bigger push with hybrid or electric vehicles. I mean they were present, but they just seemed to blended in with their gas loving cousins. Maybe the newness of hybrids/electrics has worn off. The exception would be the Volt, that drew pretty decent crowds.
If I may be a curmudgeon for just a bit. In general, the models on display were very vanilla. EXCEPTION! Chrysler vehicles including Fiat WERE VERY DISTINCTIVE. I’ll come back to them. With other vehicles, Very few stood out. In many cases, if it wasn’t for the manufacturers being sectioned off, it would probably take me a second to realize I’m looking at a different Make. This was especially true with the Japanese makes, except for Scion. The American manufacturers were more distinctive, but there was some vanilla present with them as well. Nothing really came across as daring, or risk taking. Maybe the economic conditions of the past few years has forced manufacturers to be a little more conservative.
The Chrysler section had probably the most distinctive offerings. From a design standpoint Chrysler products simply did a better job. Their vehicles were fresh and daring. They really pulled the crowds. Jeep was hot! You couldn’t get people off the Challenger. The FIAT floor was one of the most congested areas. People were all over the two FIATs, they were like nervous ants. I’m not saying this because I run the Helfman Blog, I’m saying this because it’s true. Yes Ford and Chevy drew big crowds, but for me, in the end Chrysler simply had the best product offerings.
Overall the show was well put together. I was impressed by the fit and finish of all the American brands. The foreign automakers offered some good product, but it simply seemed like more of the same, and didn’t excite. I hope that we see more innovation from manufacturers next year(Chrysler Innovating Now!). But I guess this depends on how well sales do this year. Automakers will probably wait until their flush with cash before we see some risk taking again. Till Next Year.
Helfman Cars
Damon
Helfman Cars 