Philly & NY Auto Shows

[ML1media]

FoxValley MotorCars web page states they will have a copy at the Chicago Auto Show. I'll be covering that event so I'll know if it's there bfr the official open and will post pix here.

john m / ML1

[CosmosMpower]

I saw a lotus on a Conan trailer for tonight about a section on auto shows guessing it's the ny auto show

[ericwgexige]

Has anyone been to the Philly show yet? And if so, is the Evora there?

[wallabyguy]

Originally Posted by ericwgexige

Has anyone been to the Philly show yet? And if so, is the Evora there?

I haven't been but I know it won't be there. You might see it at NY but that is a big "might". I would think mid to late summer is a much safer bet.

[lotus69f2]

I was not at the Philly Show, but spoke with a colleague who was and he said no Evora. I have been in touch with Rothrock regarding doing a club event for local Lotus nuts and they indicated they should have an Evora by the Summer, though I am not sure if it will be for sale or just making the rounds for promotion purposes.

[wallabyguy]

The customer cars will not arrive until December at the earliest. The promotional cars are looking like 3rd Quarter.

[ericwgexige]

Not having an Evora available for the public to view seems like a lost opportunity to me. 200,000 people are expected to attend the Philly show. Even if they sent one to Rothrock, they would probably be happy to display it at the auto show alongside their other Lotus offerings. Everyone that I've shown pics of the Evora to have really been wowed. Also, there is not much that is really new or exciting at the show this year. The Evora could be the hit of the show. $25,000 seems a pittance to get such wide exposure, but what do i know....

[wallabyguy]

Originally Posted by ericwgexige

Not having an Evora available for the public to view seems like a lost opportunity to me. 200,000 people are expected to attend the Philly show. Even if they sent one to Rothrock, they would probably be happy to display it at the auto show alongside their other Lotus offerings. Everyone that I've shown pics of the Evora to have really been wowed. Also, there is not much that is really new or exciting at the show this year. The Evora could be the hit of the show. $25,000 seems a pittance to get such wide exposure, but what do i know....

[Rat27]

The Exige was shown for the first time at New York in spring '05 but other than that LA has had almost all the Lotus news since the Elise debut in December '03.

Unfortunately auto shows are outrageously expensive. This is especially true in union buildings. Based on my experience as an auto shows manager for a manufacturer many years ago it would be at least $50K and probably more like $100K to be in a bigger show. And as Randy pointed out, it isn't easy to control the perception at the show. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Lotus at more shows but in today's economy every penny counts.

Take it from someone who works for a car manufacturer that pulled out of the Detroit and Chicago shows every penny is being counted. Take a look at the January car sales figures. GM down 40+% from a year ago. Chrysler down 50+%, Toyota, Honda and Nissan all down about 30%. Annual car sales are anticipated to be down to 10.5 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2009 vs. 16.5 million in 2007. Think about 6 million fewer new car sales. To put that in perspective Nissan sold about a million vehicles in the U.S. in 2007 so 6 Nissans have disappeared from the market this year. There are going to be many people in the car business who aren't getting paid any more with that kind of reduction.

[Abe]

Originally Posted by Rat27

The Exige was shown for the first time at New York in spring '05 but other than that LA has had almost all the Lotus news since the Elise debut in December '03.

Unfortunately auto shows are outrageously expensive. This is especially true in union buildings. Based on my experience as an auto shows manager for a manufacturer many years ago it would be at least $50K and probably more like $100K to be in a bigger show. And as Randy pointed out, it isn't easy to control the perception at the show. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Lotus at more shows but in today's economy every penny counts.

Take it from someone who works for a car manufacturer that pulled out of the Detroit and Chicago shows every penny is being counted. Take a look at the January car sales figures. GM down 40+% from a year ago. Chrysler down 50+%, Toyota, Honda and Nissan all down about 30%. Annual car sales are anticipated to be down to 10.5 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2009 vs. 16.5 million in 2007. Think about 6 million fewer new car sales. To put that in perspective Nissan sold about a million vehicles in the U.S. in 2007 so 6 Nissans have disappeared from the market this year. There are going to be many people in the car business who aren't getting paid any more with that kind of reduction.

^^+1 and to Randy and Robert

In a perfect economy, Lotus would love to be in every auto show however; this economy is anything but perfect and because of this, we (Lotus Cars) have to choose our spots wisely. The Los Angeles Auto Show gives us the best opportunity as:

A) Is the car capitol of the nation
B) The exposure is worldwide
C) And IIRC, more people attend the L.A. show than any other

As you are well aware, the Evora will not attend the NY show as it is still making its round all over the world and although we fought to have one, financially it just did not make business sense and truly is a bummer but I believe that after everything is said and done, the east coast will still appreciate the new Evora when it's finally out.

[wallabyguy]

Originally Posted by Abe

.....A) Is the car capitol of the nation

Go ahead and pour lemon juice on that paper cut, why don't you.

.....but I believe that after everything is said and done, the east coast will still appreciate the new Evora when it's finally out.

Nah, I don't think we will

[DeanG]

Originally Posted by Abe

... In a perfect economy, Lotus would love to be in every auto show however; this economy is anything but perfect and because of this, we (Lotus Cars) have to choose our spots wisely...

What about the most important auto show of them all, LOG?