CHICAGO - As automobile sales faltered over the past several years, major auto shows suffered comparable shrinkage. Detroit's North American International Auto Show, while retaining the lead among U.S. automotive events, diminished significantly in 2009 and 2010. This year, the Detroit show was smaller yet in terms of new-model introductions, which took place in a single long day rather than the two-plus Press Days that used to be the norm.
Both the New York and Los Angeles auto shows have been gaining in stature compared to Detroit, but they, too, have slimmed down somewhat. None, though, has exhibited the level of dwindling that's been evident at the Chicago Auto Show, held each February.
At this year's Chicago show, only eight automakers held news conferences for visiting journalists, versus 19 in Detroit in more than 20 in Los Angeles. Not quite all of those manufacturer announcements qualified as earth-shaking, either. As they have for the past two years, Chicago show organizers hosted a second Press Day, but it was set up for the benefit of social media rather than the traditional journalists who used to be the mainstay of reporting on the automobile business.
Showgoers who hit McCormick Place during the 10-day public period of the show, on the other hand, will be impressed by the vastness of the space and the number of vehicles - a strong point of Chicago's event. This year, the floor space is even bigger than before, and four indoor test-drive tracks are set up to let visitors ride in new vehicles.
Kicking off the leisurely Press Day was Jim Farley, Ford's vice-president of global marketing, sales, and service. In his keynote address sponsored by the auto show and the Midwest Automotive Media Association, Farley gave what amounted to a promotional tour for the redesigned Explorer SUV, which arrived for 2011. Those comments segued into praise for the "social media" phenomenon. Farley noted that the Explorer had been introduced in summer 2010 with the assistance of Facebook. He also observed that this reworked SUV suggests a revival of the American "road trip," which has faded from public consciousness in recent years.
On a practical note, Farley explained the operation of Ford's new Go.Do Adventures program, which will be promoted extensively. Participants will state where they would like to go if they had a Ford Explorer. When the results are in, winners will get to do precisely what they had described as their true desire. With expenses paid by Ford, they will travel in an Explorer and have their adventures chronicled in short films. A TV special also is in the works.
In a second promotion, fifty consumers will be sent to Europe to participate in a test-drive of the 2012 Ford Focus. Farley explained that Focus Rally America, an interactive road rally with six competitive teams, will be presented to the largely youthful audience via hulu.
Summing up, Farley cited a survey by the Edelman group, in which 46 percent of respondents stated that they do not trust large corporations to "do the right thing." As for Ford, Farley noted that "we allow customers to influence every part of our company."
After the breakfast, the short series of news conferences began, with several notable new models introduced.
Acura introduced the next version of its TL midsize sedan, set to debut as a 2012 model. Honda's luxury division doesn't claim it's "all new" or "redesigned." Instead, it's admittedly "freshened" for 2012. The last actual redesign was for the 2009 model year.
Designers clearly sought to abandon the controversial "keen edge" styling of the 2009-11 TL model, which has inspired some caustic comments - focused on what some have dubbed its "beaklike" grille. Their job has been accomplished, as the front end has toned down substantially. Repositioning the grille down lower, down into the fascia, helps "add in a lot of proportion," said sales vice-president Jeff Conrad. So do the new gently-flowing headlamps.
A new six-speed automatic transmission replaces the TL's former five-speed unit, but engine choices have not changed. Acura says estimated fuel economy has risen by 3 mpg: now 20-mpg city/29-mpg highway. Three trim levels will be offered: base TL, Advance, and Technology edition. A TL may have either front-drive or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, and a manual gearbox is available - as in the previous version.
Chevrolet had notable high-performance news for the enthusiast crowd (which includes a considerable number of media folks). Rumors that a Z28 version of the revived Camaro might turn up in Chicago proved inaccurate, but Chevrolet had an even more enticing model to unveil. Back in the 1960s, a special racing engine called the ZL1 had been installed in precisely 69 examples of the 1969 Camaro. Recalling that heritage, Ed Wellburn, GM's vice-president of global design, unveiled a 2012 Camaro ZL1 coupe, calling it the "most powerful, most high-tech, best-performing Camaro ever sold.
Ardent performance fans just might start to salivate over the ZL1's supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, which cranks out an estimated 550 horsepower - versus 426 hp for the strongest regular Camaro. With its independent rear suspension, the ZL1 is intended to be comfortable for in-town driving, but able to handle racetrack chores without fuss.
In other Camaro news, Chevrolet announced that 500 Pace Car Replicas will go on sale this spring. Camaro will be the Pace Car for this year's Indianapolis 500 race, late in May.
Dodge president/CEO Ralph Gilles used the Chicago show to focus on sporty R/T editions of several of that company's passenger cars. "Sport" and minivans don't always mix well, but one of the R/T models is a new version of the Grand Caravan. Referred to as a "manvan," the R/T Grand Caravan uses the same 283-horsepower V-6 engine as other minivans. However, its suspension has been modified significantly. Also unveiled was an R/T rendition of the Durango SUV, fitted with such extra equipment as high-intensity-discharge headlamps, dedicated three-season 20-inch tires, a performance exhaust system, and black headlamp surrounds. Fuel Saver technology is intended to improve the gas consumption of the Durango's 360-horsepower V-8.
Final addition to the Dodge family was the latest Charger SRT8, packing a 465-horsepower, 6.4-liter Hemi V-8. A particularly bold front end and scooplike accents on each bodyside help convey the impression of enhanced performance. Gas mileage has improved by 15 percent in the city and 25 percent on the highway, Gilles advised.
Hyundai used the Chicago show as a platform to introduce the Genesis sedan, as freshened for 2012, along with a performance-oriented version that will be called the R spec. An R spec coupe already has been available. In regular Genesis sedans, Hyundai's 5.0-liter V-8 develops more than 400 horsepower. The direct-injected version developed for the R spec produces 429 hp. A new eight-speed automatic transmission goes into Genesis models. Hyundai also unveiled a group of racing Velosters, following the debut of that model in January at Detroit's auto show.
Ram is the name for the Chrysler corporation's trucks, which used to be part of the Dodge brand. Ram president/CEO Fred Diaz brought out a pair of new pickup-truck models, starting with a 1500 Tradesman. Targeting small businesses, farms, and ranches, the basic-looking Tradesman holds a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine, which develops 470 pound-feet of torque. "This is a hard-working truck for hard-working people," said Diaz.
The second new Ram was a 3500 HD (heavy-duty) pickup with a Cummins turbodiesel engine and "dualie" rear wheels (two on each side). Generating a whopping 800 pound-feet of torque, that turbodiesel engine will enable this muscular Ram to tow as much as 22,700 pounds.
Regular motorists might not be familiar with the Shelby company, but hard-core sports car fans have known it well for decades. At the Chicago show, Shelby revealed the latest version of its Ford Mustang-based GT350 convertible. Shelby will build only 350 of them, with a choice of two supercharged V-8 engines. Engineers took pains to tune the exhaust system, so it sounds like a Shelby model from the 1960s.
Volkswagen made a straightforward introduction of the 2012 Jetta GLI - the performance-oriented edition of VW's compact sedan. Sticker-priced at $23,495, the GLI sedan gets a 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, claiming up to 31 mpg in highway driving. President/CEO Jonathan Browning also promoted the Jetta's Intelligent Crash Response System. During a collision, that system disables the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and undertakes other tasks to help minimize harm to occupants.
What to make of the Suzuki presentation? That's a tough question to answer. Rather than talk at all about new products, Suzuki hired a performance/comedy/musical group to entertain the media audience. The only news seemed to be the emergence of a "motorized sofa." What that has to do with Suzuki's automotive product line is a mystery.
In addition to looking over the new models, showgoers could take a glance at a shiny, curvy Airstream travel trailer, which has changed surprisingly little over the decades.
Following its annual Charity event on the previous evening, the Chicago Auto Show opened to the public on Friday, February 11 and runs through Sunday, February 20.
Attention Editors: This complete 2011 Chicago Auto Show report is available now for your publication. Please contact us at JF@tirekick.com for details.