Detroit Auto Show: Attendee Reactions From First Public Day

Detrroit January 13, 2003; Sarah Freeman writing for the AP reported that parents hoisted toddlers into trucks with bases that stood higher off the ground than the youngsters' heads, while workers wearing white gloves and smocks followed closely with soft fabric, wiping away any fingerprints left behind.

All the while music blared, lights twinkled and visitors marveled Saturday as thousands of car-lovers jammed Cobo Hall to get their first up-close view of the 2003 North American International Auto Show.

After a week of media, industry and charity previews, the public finally got to take automakers' latest offerings for at least a virtual test-drive.

Friends and five-year show attendees Paul Rebandt, Mark Tennis and Drew Farnsworth were willing to wait in line to do just that at the Mini Cooper display. The Mini stand has a driving game, virtual pinball and a booth to take a photo in the car.

"When I saw video games I was in," said Rebandt, 18, who came from Sault Ste. Marie to make it for the 10 a.m. opening -- and estimates he made it into Cobo at 9:58 a.m.

Rebandt and friends have their driving sights set high. Each agreed that the 2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra was the best vehicle on the floor and vowed to own it someday.

"Absolutely, no question about it," said Farnsworth, 16. "It's all about speed and slick design."

Despite the mystery surrounding their design -- or perhaps because of it -- concept vehicles continued to captivate the crowd. Show-goers stood four and five deep around displays featuring General Motor Corp.'s Cadillac Sixteen and Ford Motor Co.'s GT convertible and coupe design concepts.

"This is sharp, this is a gorgeous car," Anthony Gargano of Dayton, Ohio, said of the Sixteen, which combines classic Cadillac styling with modern features -- and the industry's first 16-cylinder engine.

"I haven't bought an American car in years because they've been dull," the 48-year-old said. "But this isn't dull, this is exciting."

One first-time visitor, 28-year-old Tarrea Ashe of Niles, said the Mustang was her motivation.

"It's something you're not going to see on the road for a while, but it's got that old body that everybody wants back," she said. "I could get that Mustang, it's the only sports car I've ever wanted."

The show brought 59-year-old Carter Meyers all the way from Epping, N.H., with a stop in Cleveland to pick up his 27- and 29-year-old sons. The trio has made the trip for about five years.

After a keen appraisal of a black Dodge Ram 3500 4X4, Meyers said he thinks competition for customers is making automakers more responsive.

"There's better quality, better technology employed, different product lineups," said Meyers, who has his own Dodge Ram at home, but admits to a fascination with the luxury Maybach. "They're doing things Detroit didn't do for a long time because they didn't think they had to.

"I think they're finally getting the message."

Deborah Zemke of Bloomfield Hills took a liking to the Lexus RX 330 hybrid, which combines a gasoline engine and electric wheel motors. The company says the powertrain will be offered within the next two years, and Zemke can see herself visiting the dealership.

"I'm intrigued because it just seems like a whole new market," said the self-proclaimed auto show regular. "It's like you're not going to have to compromise to drive (a hybrid). They've changed to me instead of me changing to them."

Zemke said there's a simple reason she and thousands of others turned out for opening day, willing to stand shoulder-to-shoulder on some display stands and wait patiently as enthusiasts snapped photos with their favorite thing on four wheels.

"The excitement of it," she said. "The people who are really looking forward to this and ready for it are here on the first day, and it's contagious."

The Auto Show is open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 19 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 20. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for people 65 and older. Children 12 and younger are free when accompanied by an adult.

Nearly 760,000 people attended the show last year.