TLDR: Auto shows seem to have lost their charm, and this one felt like a waste of time.
The annual trip to the car show has been a tradition, but it’s clear that times have changed. This year’s visit confirmed my suspicions: the magic is gone. A fraction of the manufacturers showed up, and luxury/EV brands were nowhere to be found. Vendor booths and custom cars took up most of the space, leaving little to showcase what used to be the stars of the event. If it weren’t for the new EV Charger at the entrance, I’d probably call it a total loss.
Detailed Thoughts:
Dodge’s EV Charger: The highlight of the show. Dodge deserves credit for showcasing this car prominently near the entrance.
Jeep Track: A consistent favorite, with its indoor obstacle course featuring steep hills. Always fun to see.
Ford’s Exhibit: A disappointment. No two-door Bronco, Raptors, or anything exciting like the Mach-E Rally. Very basic.
Subaru: Had a solid presence. Displayed base and Wilderness models, and even the BRZ tS (though locked). Props for showing the Solterra.
Toyota: Impressive lineup, including all three GR models in red and fully accessible. Live configurators and a relaxing area were nice touches.
Cadillac: Lackluster. Only one smudged Escalade and a couple of EVs. No brand reps in sight.
Nissan: Decent showing with interactive activities. The Z was a standout, though access required a survey.
Tesla: Apparently present, but I walked right past it without noticing.
Vendor Section: Overrun with random non-car-related items like cheap jewelry and energy drinks.
Custom Car Section: Too many slammed cars with aftermarket wheels. Not my scene.
Interaction with Cars: A pleasant surprise compared to previous years. Most cars were unlocked and interactive, though not much of the lineup was exciting.
Overall:
This auto show felt like a shell of its former self. Gone are the days of grand exhibits, luxury brands, and concept cars. Unless significant improvements are made, this might be my last visit.
I still enjoy going because you can see multiple cars in one place without dealer hassle. But I agree: they always showcase the top trims, and base models are nowhere to be found.
Mai said:
I still enjoy going because you can see multiple cars in one place without dealer hassle. But I agree: they always showcase the top trims, and base models are nowhere to be found.
Exactly! We went to scope out potential buys, but it’s frustrating when only the high-end versions are shown. It makes it hard to compare realistically.
Auto shows in the '90s were incredible. The LA Auto Show had everything back then: luxury brands, exotics, and even concept cars. It’s sad to see how much they’ve diminished.
Orin said:
Auto shows in the '90s were incredible. The LA Auto Show had everything back then: luxury brands, exotics, and even concept cars. It’s sad to see how much they’ve diminished.
Yeah, the early 2000s were still good, but it’s been downhill ever since. Shame to lose that excitement.
Covid accelerated the decline, but the real issue is that manufacturers don’t see the ROI anymore. With YouTube and online configurators, people don’t need to visit auto shows like they used to.
Huxley said:
Covid accelerated the decline, but the real issue is that manufacturers don’t see the ROI anymore. With YouTube and online configurators, people don’t need to visit auto shows like they used to.
That’s fair. You can learn so much online now. But there’s something about experiencing cars in person that the internet just can’t replicate.
I used to love going to the Philly Auto Show with my dad. Collecting brochures and seeing exotics like the ones from FC Kerbeck was the best. Sad to see how far it’s fallen.
Daryl said:
I used to love going to the Philly Auto Show with my dad. Collecting brochures and seeing exotics like the ones from FC Kerbeck was the best. Sad to see how far it’s fallen.
Same here! Seeing the FC Kerbeck exotics was always a highlight. Those were the days.