TACH's 2011 Chicago Auto Show Wrap-Up
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2011 Chicago Auto Show Wrap-Up
The Auto Channel Press Pass Coverage
By Steve Purdy, Thom Cannell and Larry Nutson
CHICAGO - February 13, 2011: Having just come off our high from the intense press days at the Detroit North American International Auto Show last month it’s a relaxing job to cover the February Chicago Auto Show. A leisurely day of only 10 press conferences, instead of the 17 in one day we had in Detroit, left us fresh and ready to enjoy the company of our colleagues at the evening events.
A Ford Transit Connect taxi, a courtesy from Ford and driven by off-duty Chicago Police officers, took us to the show from our downtown hotel. Easy in, easy out and economical, Ford expects to be selling taxi versions of the small utility truck soon. Actually, the taxi is a response to New York City’s “Taxi of the Future” proposal. The roomier and more economical Transit Connect would be a vast improvement over the dinosaurian Ford Crown Victoria’s that rule the taxi trade.
The Midwest Automotive Media Association started the day with a breakfast and keynote speech by Ford’s marketing boss Jim Farley who talked about all of the social media initiatives they are making, one of which was introduced in a Super Bowl ad. They’ll be doing a reality TV show called Focus Rally America based on a bunch of youngsters traveling the country in 2012 Focuses meeting a variety of challenges while interacting with social media fans and friends. Like infotainment systems, Ford appears to be ahead of the curve in terms of social media marketing.
As part of the kick-off breakfast MAMA presented their first-ever Family Vehicle of the Year award voted on by their members. Criteria centered around practicality for family use. Runners up among the nine finalists were the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Honda Odyssey. But, the winner turned out to be the pretty and practical Hyundai Sonata sedan.
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Also on the Chevy stand in honor of the marque’s 100th anniversary and this year’s running of the 100th Indy 500 race, we find the first of 500 limited edition Indy 500 Pace Cars, a dramatic white SS with orange racing stripes down the middle. By the way, that’s a 425-horsepower car in standard livery. I think it will be a good couple of years for Camaro. ( See Complete Chevrolet Press Conference)
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Volkswagen, who considers the Jetta GLI as a sub-marque separate from the Jetta, revealed the new golden child. There are three GLI’s and starting price is $23,495 all are replete with turbocharged 200 hp 2.0-liter engine which eeks out 31 miles per gallon on the highway and arrives with a three year no-charge maintenance plan. It also features VW’s Intelligent Crash System to shut off fuel the engine, unlock doors and switch on hazard lights. ( See Complete VW GLI Story)
Acura, who reminded journalists it was the first entry level luxury brand 25 years ago, showed off the new TL with better fuel economy while increasing power and retaining the Super Handling all wheel drive feature, as well as models with front wheel drive. Also on display was Acura’s new TSX station wagon. Are station wagons making a comeback? ( See Complete Acura Press Conference)
Dodge only hinted at its new Viper, but slam-dunked a new and more powerful SRT8 Charger after confiding that its R/T designation would henceforth actually mean something. New R/T minivans for the men who have to have a minivan but want to drive with a bit of spirit, a new Durango R/T that is lowered and de-chromed and Durango Heat with V-6 and similar suspension, all those fell before the SRT8 which designer / head honcho Ralph Gilles described as “so aggressive… never hugged as a child.” Everything is functional from the raised air-extracting hood to blacked-out headlight buckets. ( See Complete Dodge Press Conference)
Appropriate to the Windy City’s urban environs, the show is chock full of electric cars. From the Chevrolet Volt to the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi I-MiEV, smart, Volvo electric C30, Ford Focus EV and Toyota RAV4 EV the air was electric with battery-powered cars.
Also very urban is the new 2012 Fiat 500. A complete Fiat display with an original bright yellow 1970 Fiat 500 shows off this new entry in Fiat’s first appearance at the Chicago show this century.
The media preview wrapped up on day-two with various social media presentations from Audi, Mazda( Intros MX-5 Miata Special Edition) , Ford and others. Appropriately so with the auto being perhaps the ultimate mobile device.
© Shunpiker Productions, Thom Cannell and Larry Nutson