MIAMI BEACH AUTO SHOW

November 14, 2008 | MIAMI BEACH, Florida | Vetting explained

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Miami-Florida, Nov.13th, 2008

Miami Beach Convention Center

38Th ANNUAL SOUTH FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW | November 7th-16th, 2008

For the past many years, the show was an important tradition in the economic landscape of Florida, but was never held was during such a daring difficult economical and social crisis.

The show (is is a traveling show, like an elegant circus....) was the convergence point of new tendencies, new models, vision, new technologies and trends of this important industry: Automotive THE ATTENDANCE WAS NOT TUMULTUOUS AS IN OTHER YEARS (by the report of the expo general manager, the attendence was 8-12% lower), BUT THE ORGANIZERS ARE STILL HOPING. SOME VISITORS WERE LOOKING AT THE SHOW AS A SHOW BUT OTHERS WERE REALLY SHOPPING AROUND FOR THE NEXT FAMILY OR DREAM CAR.

1, 057 models, between cars, trucks, SUV, motorcycles and other transportation vehicles were included into the displays, and even two areas with vintage and collection cars: Million Dollar Alley and Memory Lane. People present at the expo were offered the opportunity to test some models like the GM lines, Cadillacs, Hyundai, under the Ride & Drive program. One of the main attractions beside the Ford robot was the 2009 375HP Hyundai Genesis (the same one advertised in CNN.COM during the elections show).

Some futuristic SUV's were presented by Ford and Jeep really attracted the attention for the bold design, on the rotating high display and technical explanations given by a well trained attendant. One gothic model of Lincoln was really very elegant. Many manufacturers were parading their hybrid models, which attracted more attention than the conventional fuels. The carpet floor of the Jaguar was an impeccable white and the product line was superb. Lexus presented some hybrids. Audi, Rover, Jaguar, was elegant as ever. Volvo, was present, Sabb as well. Acura and Infiniti were sparkling. Porsche and Cadillac were sporty. Hummer, in a nice displayed, was ignored, due to high fuel consumption. Subaru presented nice models and legendary for low maintenance and good value...Others were mealy making a presence, but do not attired too much attention......

Being honest and objective, there is a great distinction between the quality design and craftsmanship of the European, spearheaded by the Germans (Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, VW) and Jaguar + Range Rover, cars and the domestic ones, in between them, the Japanese and the Koreans. We are not yet taking into account the Big Italians, Alfa Romeo, Masseratti, Lancia, and the rest of the bunch.

In a small and limited measure, only some Lincoln and Cadillac models can hold the line of the luxury class against the Europeans and the big Japan-made cars. The air was very thin: the public and the professionals are in the waiting for the decision by the federal financial authorities to rescue the big 3 Detroit domestic auto manufacturers, not only for the American sake, for jobs, but for tradition and military/strategic value of their products.

BUT OF COURSE SOME IMPORTANT STRINGS HAVE TO BE ATTACHED TO THE ANY BAIL OUT, if this will happend at all. The most serious issues are IN RESPECT TO QUALITY, GREEN FUELS AND POST SALES SERVICE.

As per October 2008, car sales in U.S. were down 6-8% with respect of Oct. 2007. Despite that the attendance this year was some 15-25% lower than other past occasions, everybody hope that the next year show will be better, that the economy & finance industry will recover and rebalance fast, without much struggle and pain.

NO DOUBTS, The Boys & Girls in Detroit (read the remaning management teams, or waht is left after so many firings and downsizings...) have to put their act together, sooner, much sooner than later, and start producing good vehicles, reliable, fun to drive, fuel economic and cheap to ensemble.

The future belongs to electric-motors powered cars and in some measure, to hydrogen....

The fossil fuel powerd cars, are a a thing of the past, still breathing today: like a dead man walking....

If you would like more pictures of the shows & cars, please send an email to hedi@enghelberg.com | The next auto expo is in Los Angeles.

By Hedi Enghelberg hedi@enghelberg.com

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