I went to the Calgary (new car) Auto Show this past weekend. I came away a bit disappointed.First of all, if I have to pay an entry fee, there better be some vehicles there that I couldn't find at your average dealership. I want to see concept cars! Regrettably, there was one. I don't count cars that will actually be on showroom floors within 6 months, as some car companies were labelling pre-production samples as 'concepts'. Uh..... no.
Second, I was totally uninspired by this year's crop of vehicles in general. Coming from a Honda / Acura fan boy, I found their styling to be uninspiring. Darlene even commented this weekend that the newest Accord model looked like a Ford. Ha! Take that Honda. Their new Insight hybrid looks like it will be easily eclipsed by the new 2010 Toyota Prius. The new Acuras have far too much chrome, especially on their front grilles.
There was one car I saw that actually turned my head - the new Audi A4 Avant wagon. Lots of power, loads of torque from a 2.0 litre turbocharged gasoline engine and all wheel drive to boot. It's a bit pricey ($50,000), but almost every auto journalist said it was worth the price. Sitting inside it, I almost forgot how much I like my 2004 TSX.
I hope the car scene is more exciting when I'm in the market for my next car.....
6 comments:
I like the Aptera,you may have seen it, three wheel,white wasp like concept car, coming soon to several Hollywood addresses for around 40k....sigh....
Yes, I've seen it. Looks practical as a commuter but not much else.
I LOVE my Audi A6 3.0!! Go on Karl, I dare ya... come to the Audi side!
Ich liebe meinen Audi A6 3.0! Gehen Sie auf Karl, traue ich mich ya ... kommen auf die Audi Seite!
I doubt you will find the car scene to be exciting or even attractive when you go out for another car. An industry still trying to survive with their broken business model, and crying for the government to bail some of them out as they go down in flames not because of the economy as some would believe, but the mistakes that they have made that are now coming back to haunt them. It doesn't seem that there is any money left in the industry anymore to lavishly produce fancy concept cars as they have in the past, and if they are, you would most likely have to go to the country of origin to see one as they may not see any point spending the money to show them off elsewhere when most everyone in the world is largely focusing on the issues in their own backyard.
I totally understand. I wasn't expecting the same dynamic as exhibits of the past, but at least bring out the concept cars I happen to know have been doing the car show tours around North America. I watch the car industry like a hawk and was looking forward to a preview of certain up and coming models. NADA!
I have always found that we get less at our car shows than in places like California and Detroit. I'm sure there is a reason for it. Less population volume and volume sales.
Post a Comment