GMInside Opinion: GMI @ NYIAS, Part One

[Pucks]

Originally Posted by TaHoE

Usually at Press days you can sorta sneak into cars on display, usually amongst a large group of other reporters. This time, it was a no-no all over the board. The CTS was one of them. You will still be able to see it, it's on a big turn table. I was able to sit in the new Malibu though.

This is a great way to build enthusiam for a new car. Have it on a turn table so that you can't get within 25 feet of it.

I mean, I guess that is protocol for a new car not yet in the showroom. But why bother going when all's you get to see is the 07 car that has been in dealerships for 9 months? Half the people won't even understand that they're sitting in the 07 and their impression will be, "Oh, this is the new CTS?"

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by ChevroletRevived

Ah, that's a girl car. LOL. How was the Malibu, did you like it? Good quality?

The Jetta is a girls car. Anyway, who cares...it has great quality. The Malibu looked fabulous. The interior looked fabulous. However, the materials are similar to those in the Aura and so is the layout. So...

If you like the Aura's interior and prefer the Chevy's look...wait for the Malibu

If you don't really care and like both looks...get the Aura, it's not worth waiting, they are essentially the same...but man is the G6 gonna look like a turd.

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

I didn't get to New York. But from what I'm seeing over at Autoblog, the Flex was the clear hit of the show.

I've posted my analysis of it here:

http://www.truedelta.com/blog/?p=83

If Ford can churn out more vehicles that combine bold styling with highly functional interiors, it might just get by.

The Flex was probably the hit of the show. The Chevy Trio was a pretty large event as well. My problem with the flex is it's low roof, it's not that roomy in there, not enough to compete with the Lambdas. The styling reaction was hit and miss on the floor. But it is a BOLD vehicle, so I guess that works. Lot's of people were saying it looked like an over-inflated mini Cooper due to the roof coloring.

[tom3]

In this type of show I'd think people should be encouraged to get in, sit down, check out seat positions, etc. Anything under $100g specialty vehicle should be an open book. The whole purpose of the show is to generate interest and sell cars, isn't it? G6 coupe huh - I'm a 2 door guy too, interesting.

[69Firebird400]

Thanks for the writeup, TaHoE! Did you get any pics that you can share with us?

I live in PA, so I was considering going to the NY show, but since I've already been to Detroit this year, it didn't seem like there would be anything all that exciting...sounds like I didn't miss too much new-car wise other than the Flex.

Did you see the new Subaru Imprezza? How's it look in person? Also, any thoughts on the new Jeep Liberty? The photos of the Liberty haven't impressed me so far, though I just read today on Automotive News that it actually is a little different from the Dodge Nitro - the Nitro supposedly has a longer wheelbase, so I'm assuming they don't share any body panels, but are probably almost identical under the skin.

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

Thanks for the writeup, TaHoE! Did you get any pics that you can share with us?

I live in PA, so I was considering going to the NY show, but since I've already been to Detroit this year, it didn't seem like there would be anything all that exciting...sounds like I didn't miss too much new-car wise other than the Flex.

Did you see the new Subaru Imprezza? How's it look in person? Also, any thoughts on the new Jeep Liberty? The photos of the Liberty haven't impressed me so far, though I just read today on Automotive News that it actually is a little different from the Dodge Nitro - the Nitro supposedly has a longer wheelbase, so I'm assuming they don't share any body panels, but are probably almost identical under the skin.

I did take pics, but unfortunately the internet is down in my building (I am at work now). They are formatted and ready to be uploaded once the internet gets back up. You definitely didn't miss much, I am glad you saved your money.

The Imprezza looks just like the pictures, it's kinda boring, and I am really not impressed with it's stance, I prefer the older proportions better. I really hate the uninspired front end too. I guess that's what you get when your new parent company is Toyota.

The Liberty I must say looks much better in person. If there is orginial sheetmetal on it versus the Nitro I couldn't tell because they looks the same from the sides right down to the wheel arches. It looks much better than the Nitro, IMHO. They look similar enough.

[BigAls87Z28]

Most of the cars you cant sit in are due the fact that the interior is mostly made of super hard plastic, and not ready for production. They put on a finish to give it a nice look, but if you were to ever sit in these vehicles, you would jump right out. And thoes that do have a finished interior, its most likely one of a handful of preproduction cars, and they dont want to have the interiors of there mega-expensive cars busted for when they show it off and try to impress the public.
Either way...they need to get production ready cars out of the darn sales floor.

I look foward to finally being able to sit in a new 'Bu.

[Xenon]

I guess that would epxlain why some cars feel cheaper than others in the auto show circuit.

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

Most of the cars you cant sit in are due the fact that the interior is mostly made of super hard plastic, and not ready for production. They put on a finish to give it a nice look, but if you were to ever sit in these vehicles, you would jump right out. And thoes that do have a finished interior, its most likely one of a handful of preproduction cars, and they dont want to have the interiors of there mega-expensive cars busted for when they show it off and try to impress the public.
Either way...they need to get production ready cars out of the darn sales floor.

I look foward to finally being able to sit in a new 'Bu.

I dunno Alex. I mean, that may be true with concept cars, but some Cadillac dealers "illegally" sat in the new '08 CTS and said that the seats were mega comfortable, more so than the STS. I sat in the Malibu and the materials were identical to the Aura. A few hundred reporters wouldn't be able to mangle a CTS interior, simply not possible.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by TaHoE

Lexus had a nice "Lexus Lounge" highlighting all the benefits of owning a Lexus (Hey Cadillac...sorry where is your lounge?).

And the "benefits" of owning a Cadillac are?
I've only been saying this for a year. Cadillac offers nothing special or luxurious.

Originally Posted by TaHoE

Chevrolet's press conference for the new Trio of concepts, was pretty interesting. A bunch of people started dancing with the cars, but the press failed to really take a hold of it. They did enjoy throwing color coded balls at the stage to vote for which one was their favorite, but besdies that it was pretty flat and poorly presented. The media bum rushed the stage and were there for hours with the little trio, so I wasn't able to get very good pictures, I will try some tomorrow.

It looks like they still can't market minicars. They can't even provide an adequate presentation. Which is a shame.

Originally Posted by TaHoE

Buick had a very nice display including an Enclave cut out, but the products were absolutely terrible looking, I must say. Everything looks dated (just like their customer base) and I really can't see how the Enclave can turn things around. Especially since it was sitting on a turn table. Why? It should be on the floor. Heck there should be 5 of them on the floor so that everyone can sit in them.

Everything looks dated because they are dated. Except for Enclave. But I'm wondering about the longevity of the design.

Originally Posted by TaHoE

Cadillac's display was drop, dead, boring. The new CTS was all off to the corner sobbing it's eyes out, it went mostly ignored. The overall look was so yawn-inducing, that I felt I was at Toyota. Where is the imagery? The display of your products represents your brand. Is your brand boring? Outclassed? Because that is what Cadillac's display said. The 08 CTS does look fabulous, but it should be in the middle in a pinnacle of light, not in the back corner. The truck section (SRX, Escalades) looked like the parking lot of a dealership, hardly "show worthy".

Sheesh. Looks like no effort was put into this at all. Seems to be very typical of Cadillac today.

[BigAls87Z28]

Originally Posted by TaHoE

I dunno Alex. I mean, that may be true with concept cars, but some Cadillac dealers "illegally" sat in the new '08 CTS and said that the seats were mega comfortable, more so than the STS. I sat in the Malibu and the materials were identical to the Aura. A few hundred reporters wouldn't be able to mangle a CTS interior, simply not possible.

Well, then the CTS has a preproduction interior that they dont want a lot of people to sit in. Concept cars usually have a cobbled together to look good, but usually just for looks. Preproduciton cars have preproduction itneriors and tend to cost a lot of money.

[ChevroletRevived]

Preproduction cars definitely have pre-production quality interiors that are NOT representative of the quality of the actual finished vehicle. For this reason, GM and others do not let the press sit in the vehicles usually. When they do, it's usually for a magazine in a private setting on a GM proving ground where it can be explained, etc.

[2b2]

Nice write up
still hoping for Part2 &or pix

Originally Posted by TaHoE

...Heck there should be 5 of them on the floor so that everyone can sit in them...

Yup. Couple shows ago a particular brand had a major new model (guess which I'm talkin' about )
and they only had 1 on a turntable & 2 on the very ...umm... 'lightly populated' floor. It was just after they were in dealerships - they shoulda had one of each color with assorted interiors, arranged in a semicircle around the turntable, headlites on & flashing (or at least fogs)... wasted opportunity!

[mrmonte]

The Show has kind of sucked for sometime now. Pretty much since it moved to the Javits Center from the coloseum about 15 years ago. To much sauce not enough pasta. You cant see anything because of people standing packed tight in front of a car (look and get the hell out of there dont meditate) and you cant sit in any thing for the same reason also because of the BO that is usually left in the car when the stinky guy gets out. Its hot as hell in there too, and the parking is a rip off for an out side lot. Although there is a park and lock on 42nd and 9th .

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

Well, then the CTS has a preproduction interior that they dont want a lot of people to sit in. Concept cars usually have a cobbled together to look good, but usually just for looks. Preproduciton cars have preproduction itneriors and tend to cost a lot of money.

Honestly, this is a big hunk of BS. How much money can a pre-production interior cost if it isn't "Reflective" of a production interior. Private meetings aren't necessary, it's a PRESS show, have your representatives there talking to reporters, getting them excited. "Sure you can sit in the car, but please be careful as this is a preproduction vehicle, and by the way, the fit and finish therefore won't be as accurate as a production model but at least you can get a feel for where we are going with design and ergonomics" Somehting. There is no excuse honestly there isn't. ~200 PRESS and vs. 200,000 General Public is very different. Honetly I am appalled by the lack of open vehicles, and the general lack of excitement coming from GM, a big turn from last year, big one.