By Bob McGlincy
The New York Auto Show motored into the city, powering to a stop at the Javits Center, April 15-24. It showcased vehicles and automotive products, celebrated the past, gazed into the future and highlighted trends. But most importantly, the show demonstrated the power and resurgence of live events.
The earliest Auto Show in America was in New York City in 1900; it attracted 48,000 curious visitors who paid fifty cents apiece for the privilege of seeing a horseless carriage (vehicles powered at the time by either elecrticity, gas or steam). The show continued in New York every year until being cancelled in 2020 due to COVID. It was re-scheduled for April 2021, postponed to August, then cancelled once again due to the Delta variant. (Auto shows did open in Chicago, Detroit and LA in July, September and November of 2021).
Fans still love to pay to attend auto shows in person. With more than 300 models on the show floor to see, touch and even drive, there was something for everyone.
“The value of popular, well-attended events, like the NY Auto Show, where we can look the customer in the eye and shake their hands, are so important. It’s just better in person,” says Jim Farley, CEO of Ford.
One entire floor of the building, Level 1 with more than 250,000 square feet of space, was dedicated to electric vehicles with three indoor tracks on which to test drive them. (Since electric vehicles produce no emissions, they can be test-driven indoors).
The photo above shows one of the indoor tracks, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the 2022 “World Car of the Year.” Other EVs being test driven on this track were the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Mustang Mach-E. The photo below is the INDI One exhibit. INDI EV is one of two potentially major start-up EV companies; the other one is VinFast from Vietnam. Both companies should become more visible and possibly major players in future years.
In addition to numerous existing brands with current electric and hybrid vehicles, some of the newer EV models on the floor included the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, the Chevrolet Silverado, the Kia EV 6, Subarau Solterra, Alfa Romero Stellantis, VW ID.4 and the Volvo XC 40 Recharge. Electric vehicles are known for instant torque and quick acceleration. Many models can go flat out from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds, with at least one brand exceeding 500 miles in range for a single charge (more common ranges are 250-300 miles for a single “fill-up”).
One interesting aspect of the show was the emergence of EVs as everyday commercial vehicles. On the show floor were spotted an NYPD police cruiser, a Yellow cab, an MTA (NYC Transit) electric bus, an electric ambulance and an electric sanitation truck. New York State appears to be leading the way in funding the construction of EV recharging stations (using state funds, not federal dollars). The police car below is a Ford Mustang Mach-E.
While electric vehicles may not be for everyone, it is encouraging to see the number and types of EV brands and models expanding. Prices are coming down, ranges are increasing and charging times are decreasing. These are all positive signs.
Even more positive, the number of shows nationwide seems to be growing weekly. It’s wonderful to see people and displays back on the show floor.
Tradeshows work. They work very well.
Bob McGlincy is director, business management at Willwork Global Event Services. Willwork creates engaging, energized, and exceptional event experiences. Bob can be contacted at Bob.McGlincy@willwork.com
