NY Auto Show’s “Yawning” Future Outlook

Features | April 22nd, 2009 by Staggs

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Each year, to fuel the car enthusiast in me, I attend the New York International Auto Show. So far, each year I am easily amazed by the new technology and sweet concept cars companies bring out, and it proves to be a good outlook on the future of transportation (much like other shows, but this one is closer for me to attend). The show lays down a road map for consumers to look out for in the future of automobiles.

This year was different, though. Given the current economic climate (very cloudy, and somewhat daunting), the auto show demonstrated just how hurt these companies are by the lack of new innovation that was shown this year — it has come over them like a virus. GM, as well as others, have been stunted completely. Still showing their relatively unchanged Volt concept, that is in hellish waters right now as the company runs into manufacturing problems. Overall GM’s displays were unpersuasive for me to purchase one of their 2010-modeled cars (with the exception of the Chevy Camaro Transformers display).

Other, more notable, displays came from companies like Volkswagen and Audi, and Hyundai had an unusually large crowd around its new line of really cheap cars, such as their heavily marketed (and well intended) Genesis. Audi had a subtly impressive display of their normal line-up. Each of their cars were a signature white with their powerful R8 and TT displayed in flashy red. Volkswagen showed off its latest pocket rocket that is the GTi.

Hyundai had a surprising amount of interest from the crowd. It seemed people were looking for information on the Genesis, and wanted to see it in person. Perhaps people are looking towards them as their cars are more affordable at this time. Who knows, but there was immense interest.

Toyota and Honda had a typical display showing their usual line-up. Civics, Accords, and an emphasis on fuel economy was apparent from these two companies. Lincoln and Cadillac, on the other hand, had lame, uninteresting floor of cars. It showed, no one crowded that area and there were no lines of people waiting to have a seat. Certainly sad. Ford had a good display of Mustangs and showed promising efforts through their new Taurus. I loved the Fusion as well.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz had their usual display of lovely cars. However, there was a noticeable skimp amount of high profile cars such as Ferrari and Lamborghini, who usually have something awesome to show, but c’mon, nothing? Ugh.

The Future?

Among the fog of economic downturn, ideas are still somewhat brewing. At a meeting of top automotive executives, a decision was reached to develop a universal recharging cable for electric cars. While I’m a hardcore conservative of gasoline automobiles, electric power is inevitable as more and more people need transportation. In order for consumers to get the full thrust of electric-powered cars, automakers need to decide how they will all be powered.

It’s certainly annoying having two of, essentially, the same product that has two different incompatible plug-ins to recharge them. If you need a quick recharge, such as the next-generation of gas stations, it is important that cars have the same method to be plugged in — otherwise efficiency is lost and money is wasted by everyone. Adapters, add-ons, a whole smörgåsbord of problems could exist in the future if automakers didn’t agree on this topic. But, most of them happily did.

Manufacturers including Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, Fiat, Toyota, and Mitsubishi, have already agreed on the standard that will be used to charge electronic automobiles. Perhaps we can coin the term e-car… please no.

“Think about it, if you have no reservations or confusion about charging your vehicle, you’re probably going to be more likely to drive one,” says Gery Kissel on the GM FastLane blog. I completely agree. If you needed a square gas-pump and the gas station only had a triangle one that didn’t fit, you’d get upset and probably run out of gas before you could refuel. Same thing goes for electric-operated cars of the near future.

While a universal plug wasn’t shown at the auto show in NY, it will turn up eventually. Perhaps not this year, but next year — whenever the economy and people decide to make more purchases.

As for 2010 automobiles, there is still slow movement toward electric and more fuel-efficiency, and the downturn has stunted any type of innovation. Saddening, but I’m not ready to give up fuel just yet.