By Elayne Matthews

This past week New York hosted the New York Auto Show.  Along with new, beautiful gleaming cars poised in the showrooms, came a bevy of entertainment.  No, I did not attend this auto show; my town’s auto show came only with the cars; however I would have gone if only to see the entertainment.

Mini Cooper Countryman cars were displayed along with 3 members from the band Kiss.  The four cars were decked out to represent the performers of Kiss and will be auctioned for Unicef online May 29 through June 19, 2011.  The New York Times quoted Mr. Simmons, “What a great way to see America in the Mini Cooper.  Wouldn’t that be cool?”   The 2013 Taurus was paired with the band Train, and the Black Eye Peas, with a concert on a separate day, introduced Volkswagen’s 2012 Beetle.  I would have most certainly enjoyed partaking in any of these events as I do relate music to driving.  Most, if not all, of my music enjoyment is done while driving.  Some songs will resonate and take me back to a certain time in my life and to that car I was driving, whether it was the first used family car as a teen or my first new car purchase as an adult.  I do think these automakers hit the mark with music as their theme of presentation.

Other celebrities included comedian Stephen Colbert with Audi, Iron Chef Massaharu Morimoto for Lexus, and a narration by Jeff Bridges on a short animated film for Hyundai Motor Co.  The yacht Highlander was on the Hudson with reporters being entertained by Saab, and the Chevrolet Camaro was graced with a dessert made in its honor by Buddy Valastro.  As reported in The Detroit News, Dave Sullivan, an industry analyst with Auto Pacific Inc., “saying the auto industry is back and we’re doing what we have to do to sell cars.”

Does all this celebrity and entertainment entice you to buy a new automobile or just go to a show for the stars and glamour?  The car show in my city just has cars. However, I am able to sit in each model and compare automakers and automobiles without the distraction of glitz and celebrity sales talk.  Would the bright lights of entertainment make the show more of an event with excitement rather than a comparison-shopping task?  Would I have left with the feeling that I just experienced something awesome and want to buy a car, or the feeling that I just enjoyed a great presentation?  I don’t really know, as I didn’t have the experience of comparing my local car show with that of New York’s car event.  After all this was New York and you might expect a level of star power unlike the smaller local shows.  Are you influenced by celebrity endorsements or swayed by the styling and concept of the automobile?   I do believe that I truly would have enjoyed the music!  As to that part of the marketing, I say the automakers most likely hit the mark.

We at carcarebuzz.com would like to know your thoughts.  Did you attend the New York Auto Show?  We would like to hear your feedback on the event or any other car shows you may have attended.

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