Mixed emotions is how I would describe the 2010 San Jose Auto Show. If it wasn't for club participation and the South Hall display of customs, it would have been downright dismal. Lack of manufacturer participation is the biggest reason. San Jose being a 3rd tier market in the auto show circuit with limited show space doesn't help either.
It was a sea of drab colored SUVs, crossovers and trucks with no concept cars. Silver is a classy color, but this is a show so lets see some colors in the palettes. Unheard of was a used car section filling space on the main floor.
What was missing was especially notable. Audi, Mercedes Benz , Nissan and Porsche were nowhere to be seen so listing them on the auto show program was in poor taste. I went two days and never noticed Infiniti despite the show map. There was no Dodge Viper or ACR (the fastest production car around the famous Nurburgring). Ford didn't have a GT500 or Mustang GT unless it was hidden behind some trucks. Lexus didn't have an IS-F or LS-A - both flagship performance models. No BMW M3 either.
Well wasn't fuel economy the theme? Could have fooled me with sub-20mpg "hybrid" SUVs and crossovers, only one Toyota Prius and Tesla was oddly missing.
After the big shows in LA, Chicago, Detroit and New York, a 2nd tier show is San Francisco at the Mascone Center. Nearly 5 times the space of the San Jose convention center and offers a lot more variety. But there is still space for the aforementioned missing manufacturers even if the multi-million dollar, multi-media, multi-level, multi-host model displays don't make it to the Bay Area. This economy sucks.
There were highlights of course. The Camaros Limited Nor-Cal club had main floor space which was a supplement to Chevrolet's excellent variety of SEMA Camaros, Corvette ZR1 and Grand Sport. Even so, as mentioned Audi, Mercedes and Porsche could easily have placed their flagship models where the classic (and roped off) Camaros, used cars and eating area took up space. Same with Lamborghini and Ferrari.
Making cross comparisons were easy and interesting. The Ride & Drive is a nice program. Being able to climb all over the cars is a lot of fun for kids even though I hate the fact gear selection handles are moved for theft purposes.. The admission price of $9 is a bargain. A free one-year subscription to Motor Trend is an even better deal. After all, they hosted the show. Even though the Ford Fusion is their car of the year, I was underwhelmed by the interior. The Corvette Grand Sport would be a contender in my book but that isn't a big revelation, is it?
Regarding the clubs, the SCCA and US Touring Car had a good race car display, always friendly Rick Gaan of Club Sportiva had various specials running including the Driving Experience and LeMans Karting in Fremont. The microfiber cleaning cloth guy, wallet and model car vendors had more inventory than what I've seen at major races or stores for that matter.
The pacific region of the Ferrari Club of America had some excellent variety in the upper hallway as did a local Corvette club. A small exotic car display of Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Lotus and Aston Martin got the mouth watering but walking into the main area was a let down.
The South Hall with multiple car club displays including Nissan Zs, Low Riders, trucks, live entertainment and dancing had excellent variety. Note to Audi club - open up those doors or hoods and reveal your mods - otherwise it's a small parking lot of drab 4-door sedans with mean looking front-mount intercoolers. Check out the slideshows to see some pictures and commentary including from the South Hall. Click here for an additional list of features of the show
Let's hope next year brings the show back to where it used to be in the South Bay.
Click here for an interesting slideshow commentary of interiors, refinements and various specific aspects.
It was a sea of drab colored SUVs, crossovers and trucks with no concept cars. Silver is a classy color, but this is a show so lets see some colors in the palettes. Unheard of was a used car section filling space on the main floor.
What was missing was especially notable. Audi, Mercedes Benz , Nissan and Porsche were nowhere to be seen so listing them on the auto show program was in poor taste. I went two days and never noticed Infiniti despite the show map. There was no Dodge Viper or ACR (the fastest production car around the famous Nurburgring). Ford didn't have a GT500 or Mustang GT unless it was hidden behind some trucks. Lexus didn't have an IS-F or LS-A - both flagship performance models. No BMW M3 either.
Well wasn't fuel economy the theme? Could have fooled me with sub-20mpg "hybrid" SUVs and crossovers, only one Toyota Prius and Tesla was oddly missing.
After the big shows in LA, Chicago, Detroit and New York, a 2nd tier show is San Francisco at the Mascone Center. Nearly 5 times the space of the San Jose convention center and offers a lot more variety. But there is still space for the aforementioned missing manufacturers even if the multi-million dollar, multi-media, multi-level, multi-host model displays don't make it to the Bay Area. This economy sucks.
There were highlights of course. The Camaros Limited Nor-Cal club had main floor space which was a supplement to Chevrolet's excellent variety of SEMA Camaros, Corvette ZR1 and Grand Sport. Even so, as mentioned Audi, Mercedes and Porsche could easily have placed their flagship models where the classic (and roped off) Camaros, used cars and eating area took up space. Same with Lamborghini and Ferrari.
Making cross comparisons were easy and interesting. The Ride & Drive is a nice program. Being able to climb all over the cars is a lot of fun for kids even though I hate the fact gear selection handles are moved for theft purposes.. The admission price of $9 is a bargain. A free one-year subscription to Motor Trend is an even better deal. After all, they hosted the show. Even though the Ford Fusion is their car of the year, I was underwhelmed by the interior. The Corvette Grand Sport would be a contender in my book but that isn't a big revelation, is it?
Regarding the clubs, the SCCA and US Touring Car had a good race car display, always friendly Rick Gaan of Club Sportiva had various specials running including the Driving Experience and LeMans Karting in Fremont. The microfiber cleaning cloth guy, wallet and model car vendors had more inventory than what I've seen at major races or stores for that matter.
The pacific region of the Ferrari Club of America had some excellent variety in the upper hallway as did a local Corvette club. A small exotic car display of Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Lotus and Aston Martin got the mouth watering but walking into the main area was a let down.
The South Hall with multiple car club displays including Nissan Zs, Low Riders, trucks, live entertainment and dancing had excellent variety. Note to Audi club - open up those doors or hoods and reveal your mods - otherwise it's a small parking lot of drab 4-door sedans with mean looking front-mount intercoolers. Check out the slideshows to see some pictures and commentary including from the South Hall. Click here for an additional list of features of the show
Let's hope next year brings the show back to where it used to be in the South Bay.
Click here for an interesting slideshow commentary of interiors, refinements and various specific aspects.
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