Just got back from the new car show in Atlanta. A friend of mine was working the show, and told me that attendance was up 30% from last year. The exhibits with the biggest crowds were BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Ford. BMW also had a large Mini exhibit, and I was a little disappointed in the Mini - while the exterior is a hit, the interior is very strange.
Observations: the new 7 series attracted a lot of attention. The two display models were unlocked, and people were standing in line to get in them. Both were dark colors, and the infamous trunk appendage does not look as hideous in the darker colors. Also, the droopy eye headlights looked better in person than they do in pictures.
There was a lot of interest in the 3 series models on display also. The new front end looks good in person on the sedans, and the natural brown interior is very attractive. There was an M3 that was also unlocked, and it was very popular with the crowd.
Over at Mercedes, the most popular vehicle in their display was their big old SUV that has been brought in to the U.S. for years in the gray-market, and is now being officially imported by Mercedes.
At Audi, I was less than impressed with their new A4 - I think the old bodystyle had better lines and a higher quality interior, although the difference is subtle.
The Ford display was jammed with people climbing in and out of all those SUVs and trucks. They had a GT40 (sweet) and a T-bird.
Chevrolet had a 1968 Mark Donahue/Penske racing Camaro replica, and a 1968 Camaro pace car, both beautifully restored. I was amazed that GM would be doing a Camaro promotion when they are discontinuing the car at the end of this model year.
Observations: the new 7 series attracted a lot of attention. The two display models were unlocked, and people were standing in line to get in them. Both were dark colors, and the infamous trunk appendage does not look as hideous in the darker colors. Also, the droopy eye headlights looked better in person than they do in pictures.
There was a lot of interest in the 3 series models on display also. The new front end looks good in person on the sedans, and the natural brown interior is very attractive. There was an M3 that was also unlocked, and it was very popular with the crowd.
Over at Mercedes, the most popular vehicle in their display was their big old SUV that has been brought in to the U.S. for years in the gray-market, and is now being officially imported by Mercedes.
At Audi, I was less than impressed with their new A4 - I think the old bodystyle had better lines and a higher quality interior, although the difference is subtle.
The Ford display was jammed with people climbing in and out of all those SUVs and trucks. They had a GT40 (sweet) and a T-bird.
Chevrolet had a 1968 Mark Donahue/Penske racing Camaro replica, and a 1968 Camaro pace car, both beautifully restored. I was amazed that GM would be doing a Camaro promotion when they are discontinuing the car at the end of this model year.
