Chicago Auto Show 2008

February 6 Media Preview

The 100th Anniversary of the Chicago Auto Show began for the media Wednesday February 6 and Thursday February 7. Despite the snowy weather, manufacturers, press and public relations folks all made it for the press preview.

Wednesday began with the traditional Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) breakfast with speaker Troy Clarke, president and general manager of North America of General Motors. “Our way of life is at a crossroads,” Clarke told his audience. “The cost of transportation is at a crossroads and we need energy solutions.” Clarke also reported that GM owns 70 percent of the full-size SUV market, and that for 2008, GM is putting more hybrids on the road, including Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevy Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon. GM has recently partnered with Coskata for Ethanol production. There are 2 1⁄2 million flex fuel vehicles on the road today and GM has 11 flex fuel vehicles in its lineup.

Chevrolet’s Ed Peper and Sue Wilson, vehicle line director introduced the new 2009 Chevy Traverse, to appear later on this year. Appealing to the masses, Traverse is loaded with utility, functionality and the best fuel economy in the crossover segment. Traverse sports a V6 engine, six-speed transmission and a towing capacity of 4,500. Traverse will have standard electronic stability control, a 100,000-mile/5 yr. warranty and will be built in Spring Hill, TN. Traverse will be the first Chevrolet product to get XM’s NavTraffic, a factory-installed feature that gives real-time traffic information on cars equipped with navigation.

Acura’s top-of-the-line RL gets a new look for 2009: A new signature-look grille, said Executve Vice President of automotive sales Dick Colliver, will distinguish RL from other sedans in the luxury performance category. When designing the new RL, said Colliver, Acura set out to accomplish three things: Dynamic performance, distinctive styling and advanced technology. The all-new 3.7-liter V6 engine and SH-all-wheel-drive are only part of what’s new for RL. Enhanced suspension, upgraded tranny and larger wheels and tires are also new. “Customer relevant technology,” Acura calls it!

Acura has tried to make this RL very friendly as consumers spend over 50 hours a year sitting in traffic-inside their vehicles. Technology enhances personal lives, noted Colliver, so Acura has designed features to accommodate drivers as they make their commute. Acuralink has been updated with weather information, Satellite link, and continuously updated traffic rerouting.

Chrysler introduced the much awaited Dodge Challenger muscle car. Vice President Jim Press spit out the facts about the Challenger: 13.3 seconds in quarter time; 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Orders have been pouring in for the new Challenger and on the first day it was announced Chrysler would build the car, totaled 4,300. At an affordable starting price of $37,995, the Challenger very much resembles-in looks-the old muscle car. The first 6,400 cars will have a limited edition dash plaque. Top speed in the Challenger is higher than the BMW M5, Shelby GT500 and Corvette Z06. The Challenger’s engine is the 6.1-liter V8, with 420 lb. ft. torque, is clocked for 170 mph and gets there in 4.9 seconds. Brembo brakes are standard, with Z-rated tires. There are 28 standard and safety features on the new Challenger. To help introduce the new Dodge Challenger were father/son team Paul and Paulie Tuttle from TLC’s American Chopper Series.

“DAS AUTO” Volkswagen introduced the all-new Routan minivan, a joint-venture with Chrysler. The Routan resembles a VW product with the familiar front grille that says “friendly, dynamic and strong.” Coming in fall of 2008, Routan features rear seats that fold down with the push of a button and will sell for under $25,000. Stefan Jocoby, President and COO of VW’s group of America talked about the 10 year strategy, including the 5 pillars: products, brand positioning, dealer network (strengthen, support), significant progress in quality and developing a more efficient and effective organization and local production-looking for local sites in the U.S. to build. VW has introduced several new and re-designed products, including the new Jetta SportWagon (Detroit), Tiguan, CC, TDI Clean Diesels.

Suzuki introduced its all-new concept Equator truck with 3 versions, which will go into production and on sale in the 4th quarter of 2008. “On the move,” Suzuki is introducing new vehicles at a rapid clip and winning awards in several categories. Suzuki has made a commitment to the American market and aims to boost sales considerably with its trucks and cars. Equator boasts the “best crew cab and best 4x4 capability” and totes your motorcycle in style. Keep an eye on Suzuki.

Ford featured its F150 pickup truck. Mark Fields, President of the Americas told the press Ford has now built 33 million F-series trucks, and the new F150 has more high-tech features than ever before, including a screen with keyboard and mouse for internet connections, navigation system and phone, and two very unique features: Tool Link, a tag/scanning system that allows you to track your tools, and Crew Chief to track your fleet! Of course, the F-150 is also Bluetooth capable. Ford is teaming up with Master Lock (providing a lock/cable system to lock up equipment in the bed of the truck), Sprint, ThinkMagic, among others. Ford’s big news involved the Transit Connect, “Purpose built” unique compact vehicle for small business owners. Debuting at the Chicago Show, Transit Connect is designed and engineered by Ford of Europe. Built on a commercial vehicle platform, the handy vehicle is a car-van-truck with lots of versatility.

Thursday February 7

Mitsubishi celebrates 20 years building cars in Illinois this year, as well as a successful relationship with UAW. New additions to the lineup for 2008-09 include an all-new Galant with a Sport, ES and Ralliart edition. The midsize sedan will be the 9th generation model and offer a navigation system with a 7-inch screen, 8-way power driver’s seat, auto-climate control, and heated front seats and mirrors all as standard equipment. Also introduced were the redesigned sporty Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder convertible. A much-needed update makes this little sport car a real contender in today’s increasingly competitive market. Offered in GT and GS, 4-and-6-cylinder engines are available. A lower, wider stance, the new Eclipse gets significant upgrades: traction control, 18-inch alloys and a bigger engine (3.8-liter, 265 hp.).

Firsts in Autoland:

*The redesigned flagship 2009 Acura RL teams up with XM to be the first to offer NavWeather, featuring Threat Matrix technology as part of AcuraLink service, which provides a real-time, personalized weather tracking service directly through the in-dash navigation system. The XM system is able to track and provide immediate alerts on developing weather threats, current conditions and multi-day forecasts.

*The all-new Chevrolet Traverse crossover is the first Chevy product to offer XM NavTraffic, a factory-installed real-time traffic information source on cars equipped with navigation.

*The 2009 Hyundai Sonata is now equipped with XM’s new display, featuring an enhanced XM display with sophisticated graphics, song, title, artist and category. Drivers are able to scan through more than 170 channels.

Motor Week’s 2008 Driver’s Choice Awards

Best of the Year……Scion xB
Best Small Car ……Scion xB
Best Family Sedan ……Honda Accord
Best Minivan…… Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country
Best convertible…… Chrysler Sebring
Best Luxury Sedan…… Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Best Sport Sedan…… Cadillac CTS
Best Performance Car…… VW R32
Best Small Utility…… Nissan Rogue
Best Large Utility…… Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon
Best Crossover Utility……Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook
Best Pickup Truck…… Ford F-Series Super Duty
Best Eco-Friendly…… Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid/GMC Yukon Hybrid
Best Dream Machine…… Audi R8/Bentley Continental GT Speed/Lexus LS 600h L

*Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) hosted a “Future Techs” event at this year’s Chicago Auto Show made up of Chicago area high school students and recent AYES grads. The group toured the show floor and attended some of the press conferences that took place during media days. AYES is a partnership between automotive manufacturers, the NADA, Automotive Trade Association, State Departments of Education and Labor, local dealerships and select secondary high schools. Their goal is to “encourage quality students with a good mechanical aptitude to pursue careers in the field of automotive technology and prepare them for entry-level positions in dealerships.”

*The family pet wasn’t left out of the auto show this year. BarkBuckleUP, a mission to save pets lives by promoting and educating about responsible pet travel, teamed up with Volvo at the Volvo exhibit to introduce the pet seatbelt. According to statistics, more than 67 percent of households own a met; 50 percent own more than one pet. Eighty percent of pet owners travel with their pets but never use a restraint. “In an accident,” say the BarkBuckleUP reps, “an unrestrained animal is not only a dangerous to himself, but also to human passenger. The BarkBuckleUP campaign teaches pet owners how to put on and take off safety pet belts. They also maintain a data center that collects and distributes general data and reports to new businesses, financial institutions, insurance institutions, advertising agencies, governmental agencies and market research firms. (www.BarkBuckleUP.com)