2006 Wrap-up 2007 DATES Media Preview February 7-8 First Look For Charity February 8 Public Show February 9-18 “Less is more.” Says Who? ’06 Chicago Auto Show pushes out the walls to everyone’s delight When world renowned Chicago architect Ludwig Mies van So often we’ll take manufacturer executive visitors who (for a der Rohe first said, “Less is more,” he couldn't have been thinking while) haven’t been to Chicago through McCormick Place and about the future of the Chicago Auto Show. Again in 2006, the then into downtown Chicago for a tour. It’s sometimes difficult to nation’s biggest auto show proved the opposite. keep a conversation going because they’re almost speechless as “Actually, more is more,” said Auto Show Chairman Art Kelly, to the capabilities of the venue and the beauty of the city. We like contradicting van der that—a lot.” Rohe. “And exhibitors More than 20 world and visitors alike could- and North American n’t have been more introductions were pleased. Those who made during the show’s have visited this show two-day media pre- over the past 10 years view. The reviews we have not only seen it get back talk about double in size, but have Chicago’s “relaxed also seen an incredible pace” and “time to pro- increase in what ductively spend a few exhibitors offer to a moments with key buying public.” executives before hav- McCormick Place, ing to run off to the next the nation’s biggest and event." premier exposition cen- “That’s a feeling and ter, provided a stage upon which exhibitors could dream an attitude we intend to keep,” said Jerry Cizek, general manager of exhibit in their minds, transfer it to blueprint and then see it built in the show. “No matter what happens to this show in the future, record time. The abilities of Chicago resulted in 18 manufacturers we’re not going to change our character or the things that have building the largest displays they construct anywhere in the made us special to both the media and the general public. world. “And frankly,” added Kelly, “they outdid themselves, and “When a manufacturer spends the huge dollars it takes to for that the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (organizer of stage a major media unveiling, it’s our responsibility to make it the event since 1935) and an adoring public are deeply grateful. worthwhile to them and give the media enough time to cover the continued on page 2... Momentum Continues for Chicago Ford Motor Company was first to the starting Ford Freestyle and the '08 Mercury Montego will line for the 2007 show when it announced March be unveiled next February in Chicago. Don't get 21 two global product introductions for Chicago. left in the paddock. Contact information for show Francisco Codina, Ford Motor Co. group vice officials can be found on the back page of the president for sales and marketing, said the 2008 Wrapup. news conference,” continued Cizek. “We want them to have always asked, ‘How can a healthy, vibrant and growing Chicago access to engineers, designers and marketers. If that means we Auto Show be anything but great for the entire industry?” have fewer news conferences, so be it. We’re content to let them The consumer popularity aspect of Chicago results in more be the very best news and better TV coverage events with the very than any other show in best staging and very North America. Six TV best executives avail- specials—two broad- abilities. There’s no cast in Spanish—were sense in media coming produced from the show from all over the world floor and televised to see products across the country. unveiled, only to have 2006 marked the pre- their heads spinning at mier of letting the public the end of the day won- vote on its favorites, too, dering ‘What the with the inaugural “Best heck happened this of Show” competition. morning? I can’t even During the media pre- remember!’” view, a panel of visiting “We want the journalists from around media to arrive in the country was asked Chicago and depart to choose finalists in four Chicago with a smile," key categories: Best All- said Cizek. "We seem to new Production Vehicle; have become rather Best Concept; Best well known for produc- Exhibit; Best Chicago ing that effect. With the balance of World Introduction, rewarding those a world class show in a world class Chicago's convention center is cavernous, who drop the veils in the Windy City. city and a schedule full of industry- A fifth specially open-ended catego- shaping news, we give them what convenient, and it's surrounded by a first- ry gave voters an opportunity to they want—and then tie it up with rate city. With the move of the L.A. show to enter any choice they wish as a bow that says, ‘Here’s our pres- “Vehicle I’d Most Like to See in My ent to you. Come back next year for November, my prediction is that the auto Driveway.” Interested in who won? another, would you, please? And, industry will move more in the direction of Well, drill down a bit deeper into this oh, by the way, tell your friends Show Wrapup and find out! about what they’re year-round introductions, beefing up their 2007 will mark the first year for missing!’” presence at Chicago, New York, Los Chicago being sanctioned by the “Day after day a seemingly OICA, the international organization endless line of them come to our Angeles, and maybe even Miami. of vehicle manufacturers. show to either shop, dream or com- — The Car Connection “Will it change the show?” pare what our industry has pro- pondered Cizek. “Perhaps, but most duced,” said Terry D’Arcy, chair- likely the change will be impercepti- man of the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, and current chairman of the ble to the general public. But at least we know that if any manu- Chicago Automobile Trade Association. “These people do more facturer or exhibitor wants more space or needs new space, we than stroll around. They’re motivated by the elaborate, effective just happen to know how to accomplish the mission. But then displays to leave the show and vote their favorite choices in deal- again, accomplishing the mission of an auto show has always ership showrooms. Our show continues and revels in the tradition been what Chicago is at its heart-and-soul.” of what auto shows are supposed to do: sell cars. As we’ve Consumers Pick Their Favorites More than four in 10 persons who voted considered the I Most Want to See in My Driveway, allowed voters to choose Ford Shelby GT 500 the best all-new production vehicle at the from any vehicle on the show floor and write in their selection. 2006 Chicago Auto Show. Consumer voters proclaimed their In that category, the Chevrolet Camaro edged the Dodge auto show favorites in five categories, in the auto show's Challenger, 19 percent to 17 percent. inaugural Best of Show balloting. "This show," said 2006 Chicago Auto Show Chairman In the Best of Show's tightest category, five percentage Arthur Kelly, "is renowned for its consumer impact and it points separated the top five focuses on the buying public, finishers in "Best Chicago Auto who express their opinions Show World Introduction." In with their dollars at dealer- the vote, the Dodge Rampage ship showrooms. Best of concept gathered 17 percent Show voting gives con- of the vote, followed by the sumers another method to Mercedes-Benz AMG ML 63, express their opinions on the at 16 percent; the Honda Civic direction in which our indus- Si Sedan concept, at 14 per- try is going." cent; the Lincoln Navigator, 13 Nearly one-third of vot- percent; and Dodge Caliber ers considered the Jeep dis- SRT4, 12 percent. play, with a test track and waterfall, to be the Chicago Auto Automotive media identified 10 finalists for voters to con- Show's best exhibit. The nearby Dodge display, also with a sider in four Best of Show categories. A fifth category, Vehicle test track, captured 21 percent of the votes. BEST ALL NEW PRODUCTION VEHICLE BEST C.A.S. WORLD INTRODUCTION Ford Shelby GT 500 43 % Dodge Rampage Concept 18 % Porsche Cayman S 14 % Mercedes Benz AMG ML 63 16 % Dodge Calliber SRT4 12 % Honda Civic Si Sedan Concept 14 % Lexus LS 460 8 % Lincoln Navigator 14 % Volvo C70 7 % Dodge Caliber SRT4 12 % Volkswagen EOS 7 % Lexus ES 350 11 % Toyota FJ Cruiser 6 % Dodge Nitro 10 % Toyota Tundra 4 % Toyota Tundra 6 % Honda Fit 2 % Mitsubishi Gallant Ralliart 3 % VEHICLE I MOST WANT TO Hyundai Entourage 2 % Hyundai Entourage 2 % SEE IN MY DRIVEWAY Porsche Caymann S 1 % Chevrolet Camaro 20 % BEST EXHIBIT Dodge Challenger 17 % BEST CONCEPT VEHICLE Jeep 33 % Ford Shelby GT 500 6 % Dodge Challenger 35 % Dodge 21 % Ford Mustang 3 % Chevrolet Camaro 32 % Ford 16 % Volvo C70 2 % Infiniti Coupe Concept 9 % Jaguar 8 % Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2 % Ford Super Chief 7 % Lexus 7 % Dodge Charger 2 % Ford Reflex 6 % Toyota 6 % Chevrolet Corvette 2 % Chrysler Imperial 5 % Chrysler 4 % Ford Super Chief 2 % Nissan Urge 4 % Volvo 4 % Chrysler Imperial 2 % Toyota F3R 4 % Nissan 3 % Ferrari F430 2 % Dodge Rampage 2 % Hyundai 3 % Toyota Tundra 1 % Hyundai HCD9 Talus 2 % 2006 Introductions Lexus ES350 Leadoff batters are expected to get a hit. In the first position of the Chicago Auto Show's media preview for the ninth time in 10 years, a Toyota or Lexus has not only gotten to first base, but knocked it out of the park.