My thoughts from the 2009 New York International Auto Show. Day 2

Covering the New York International Auto Show was awe inspiring, even though you could feel the tension in the air surrounding the industry in these very dark and turbulent times. If you were a casual observer walking into the front enterance of the Jacob Javitts Convention Center, you couldn't help but marvel at the sights and sounds of the place, from the din of music, and conversation happening everywhere, to the sheer number of flat panel displays hanging seemingly all over the place. All this before you even walk into the assembly hall with each manufacturer showcasing an endless number of models, some on revolving turntables, others with huge, brightly lit signs behind them, and most of them with open doors welcoming you into their sumptuous interiors, begging to be purchased right then and there. Each of the major manufacturers set up their display areas that set the mood; Audi had a glossy gray, high tech floor, while Bentley used hardwood, and Porsche used Ceramic Tile. However, this was the day that a number of Press Conferences held on the lower floor, and it's time to look at those.

Mitsubishi Motors held the first press conference, and they were set to introduce an updated SUV hiding under the pre-requisite white satin sheet. This booth was chocked with cars, including the Dakar Mitsubishi Lancer Rally Car, which I have to say was rather tough looking. Mitsubishi has been having a tough go here in the US Lately, with only the Lancer and EVO models providing any excitement for the brand. The rest of the lineup has been met with lukewarm yawns at best. Well, they decided to offer another model to the Lancer lineup in the US, and that was the Lancer Sportback, a five door version of the Lancer available everywhere else than the States. Next came an anouncement that the i-MiEV, a very strange smaller Mitsubishi model, will be coming to the US, with no firm date as to when. Then it was time for the main debut, and it was.... another SUV, the updated Outlander GT (in "concept" form, but a good bet for production this autumn) with a Lancer nose, just for good measure. I can't express how very underwhelmed I was at this debut.

Subaru was actually the next display area, and they were set to introduce the all new Legacy and more importantly, the new Outback Wagon, that hasn't been leaked to the media yet. Subaru, at least here in the States hasn't suffered the near catastrophic sales declines that most of the other brands are experiencing. Their new Forester model has been met with great success. Subaru decided to it was time to increase the displacement and power from their flat six, and introduce a new CVT automatic for their 4 Cyl Models. This is a company that is poised to increase their market share over the next year. The Legacy was rolled out first, and it grew in length very little, but increased in height, and interior room, but it's still recognizable as a Subaru. The the Outback rolled out to a fanfare of music, fog, and subdued lighting. Even thought the Legacy and Outback Models are related, Subaru has managed to have a different look between each model. The grill is the main difference, with the Outback adopting the look of the Tribeca. The interior apointments was very nice, and the roof rack crossbars can be stowed within the roof rails when not in use. Hey that's something.

The surprise of the day was from Kia. It was rather easy to get to their display area, as it was only a couple of displays away (actually next to the Mitsubishi Display). This area was very Retro Modern, with white furnishings, and red accents. There were two white "egg" shaped chairs located next to a red draped vehicle. Their stage show was quite entertaining, with the designer of the Soul in one chair, and the head designer of their more mainstream cars in the other, and they had electronic "probes" attached to the chairs. It was to probe the mind of the designers. All very fun, and with the unveiling, a really attractive little 2 door coupe model called the Kia Forte Koup (yes, that is the spelling for the coupe). This just highlights the fact that Kia is on fire in the US, with their sales numbers actually increasing, compared to almost anyone else. With the new Soul, and a new Full Size scheduled to debut later in the year, expect Kia to continue their upward sales momentum.

Honda was scheduled to do a luncheon, but their main "debut" was a dog friendly version of the updated Element. Sammy the dog demonstrated the new "dog friendly" features. This is currently a concept, and is being gauged for possible production. Many of the features include: – a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform; – second row and cargo area pet restraint systems; – an extendable cargo area load-in ramp; – a 12V DC rear ventilation fan; – second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric); – all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern; – a spill-resistant water bowl; – Dog Friendly exterior emblems. This is purely a marketing gimmick for a vehicle that has been in production for a while, and is aimed squarely at the ever growing pet owners here in the US. It costs Honda relatively few development dollars, and it may rack up a few thousand sales, but really, is this all that newsworthy?

If you thought that was a disappointment, Hyundai unveiling proved even more so. Hyundai (along with their Kia division) has been increasing their market share here in the US. The two main reasons for this is their product (The Genesis Coupe, Genesis Sedan, and Santa Fe CUV), and their latest marketing coup, the Hyundai Assurance Plan, in which they will let you return the car if you lose your income. They were first with this plan, and is now being copied by GM, and Ford. That's innovative, and I was expecting innovation at their scheduled reveal. Well, the car was undraped, and the Hyundai Nuvis Hybrid is.... another Hybrid SUV, with a special feature, "gull wing" doors. The Hybrid drive will be introduced in a future Hyundai, and this concept uses all the current organic design themes, but really, it was nothing special.

The last news conference I went to was for Spyker, the odd Dutch Car Company with a vintage aircraft theme. While the C8 Aileron was truly a fantastic piece of machinery, it's really just another boutique supercar using an Audi 4.2L V-8. While the outside is striking, it's the interior that is truly unbelievable. As striking as the Spyker is, I am having trouble taking this whole "Aeromotive" retro thing seriously, while trying to visualize what future Spyker has in the US. It's a beautiful car, but so is Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Audi's own supercar, the A8.

At this point I just started wandering around the show, not exactly sure what I wanted to see, or wanted to discover. Well, it was at this point I found the Counter Balance. This hideous, bloated, yellow, crudely fashioned, pickup truck was eye opening. This is the brain child of Elad Barkan of Barkan Design, and it is suppose to be a compact pickup truck, and it could be offered with a frugal 4 Cylinder all the way up to a fire breathing V8. The engine sits under the second seat, offering passengers "stadium" seating, and their own windshield. The bed could expand to 7.5 Ft, according to the web site, and it comes equipped with a tailgate that doubles as a ramp. However, I just could not get past how horrible the build quality is, even if it's a "prototype". Oh, and the area in which you expect an engine to be housed? That's a storage area.

Also in the back of the lower level of the Javitts Center, there were two "Conversion" vans from the Explorer Van Company. I thought the whole conversion van marker imploded, but I guess I was wrong. What was very odd is the fact that there were two vans on display, with absolutely no one manning the booth.

So, the New York International Auto Show was a cornucopia of sight and sound, with a deeply disturbing undercurrent. On the face of ever increasing pressure of a dwindling car market, the participants at the show put on a good face, almost like applying makeup to a cadaver. I felt both joy and dismay. While I loved being there, I felt remorse that a few nameplates won't survive the year.