So I did the show today.
Still on the fence about Chrysler. I get the feeling their whole product line is managed by elite image consultants rather than engineers or enthusiasts, but their refreshed designs are pretty good and their lineup of new engines looks real promising. Not sure if I'm ready to like them anyways.
I was glad to discover in the Auto Exotica section that the uber filthy rich have a cornucopia of high zoot models to choose from, it's not just Ferrari or Rolls any more. Hooray for them. In fact I can't even keep track of the ordinary luxury car models any more. I couldn't spend any time in the Audi, MB, BMW, Acura, Infinity, Lexus or Lincoln areas because they made my head throb with confusion. Only Volvo has simple and sensible nomenclature. I took a picture of all the model names on the dozen or so signposts at the MB stand so I could study them later. The salesfolk at MB were the best of the lot though, they seemed genuine as opposed to all the fake smiles everywhere else.
The Nissans and Infinities are a total bore fest. They have absolutely no character or redeeming quality of any kind. If this keeps up for the long run, they're gonna go bye-bye from the marketplace.
Even Hyundai now has a luxe model, the Equus. I figure so many of these stinking richies must have been taking the bus until now given how poorly their needs were served in the past! Crazyness.
I couldn't help noticing how strong those Korean offerings are though. Love the new Rio, and the Elantra GT looks promising, plus all the other new models from just the past 2 years. And the value! How can anybody compete? Though that Veloster is an abomination IMO. Just like it's name. Veloster, how corny. But it seems to appeal to it's target audience so who am I to judge.
Toyota was humdrum, a few bits of trim were falling off in a lot of cars. Weird. But man I love the Sienna, what a sexy MoFo minivan that is! Yes, I called a minivan sexy. Deal with it.
GM is continuing to impress me. I didn't quite get what the new Orlando was about, until I figured it's like a Mazda 5 (which I like) but with more style. And if any of you are planning on sitting in the CTS-V wagon then you should bring a latex membrane to protect yourself from the bodily fluid I accidentally left on the tight little seat when I slipped into her.
Was surprised that there's a new Fusion. I think it risks cannibalizing sales from the Taurus now with it's larger format. Oopsie doopsie! It was cool though to look at the head of a DI engine for the first time, as they had one disassembled and laid out on benches for people to look at. Nice pieces of machinery those motors are.
Wasn't expecting a new Impreza either. New bodywork anyways, they never seem to change the mechanicals on those cars. So now they're like the outgoing model, but uglier.
