New York International Auto Show: Great vehicles among uncertain industry

April 13, 7:06 PMAutomotive ExaminerKyle Busch

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Well, the New York International Auto Show is rolling April 10 – 19,
2009. As in the past, the show has many great vehicles from prototypes,
concepts, and production. However, for the auto industry, it has been a
long hard year.

Mark Shienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile
Dealer Association, states, “The industry has moved from optimism
to uncertainty.” An example of this shift is seen as just 12 months ago,
Chrysler’s CEO, Bob Nardelli, was the keynote speaker at the show and
he was much more upbeat. At the time he said of Chrysler which is owned
by the investment firm Cerberus Capital Management, “Being private helps
us be lean, agile, decisive and fast to act on market opportunities.” And we
all know what happened to Chrysler during the last year! Agile, decisive,
and fast to react? NOT!

Chrysler’s sales have dropped off a cliff, and President Obama has given
the company 30 days to be agile, decisive and fast!  During the next 30 days
Chrysler has to come up with a restructuring plan (act on market opportunities)
that involves completing an alliance with Fiat from Italy or forgo federal bailout
loans and end up in bankruptcy. If the deal is completed, it will be Fiat
that will have taken advantage of a market opportunity.

This year’s keynote speaker, Steven Jacoby, president of the Volkswagen
Group of America, is much more somber saying, “The auto industry is in
transition.” He rightly knows that 2009 will be challenging indeed!

Jacoby cited the week economy, climate change and fuel security as
concerns faced by the industry. He went on to unveil the new diesel
powered VW golf TDI. A diesel powered Touareg TDI will be introduced
later this year in the U.S.

Regardless, of the low keyed attitude at this year’s show, there are many
great vehicles. Some of these select vehicles include: the Acura ZDX coupe,
the Mini E, the Lincoln C concept, the Spyker C8 Aileron, the Aston Martin,
the Dodge Charger 570, See these vehicles in the sideshow below!

Kyle Busch is the author of  “Drive the Best for the Price…”  He
welcomes your comments or car questions at his auto web site:
www.DriveTheBestBook.com.