GTP Auto Show - Updated: Pics *and videos*

[Public'sTwin]

Hello all,

The time is right to tell you that I will be dispatched on behalf of Jordan & the members of GTPlanet to the 2010 Canadian International Auto Show on the Media Preview Day, February 11th.

As a member of the press on the Media Preview Day, my privileges include exclusive access to the vehicles and time with the manufacturer-representatives present.

The purpose of this thread is to get input from our members regarding my interactions there:

What do you want to know about GM's lineup? Future plans? When the LF-A is going into production? A Supra successor? The NSX's successor? Any and all questions are welcome, as they will be put directly to the men there.

So think long, and think hard, and most importantly, discuss.

Cheers,

-Greg

Chrysler launches the Fiat 500 in Canada:


Edit: The Preview Day has come and gone, and here are some teasers of what you can expect:

 

[newuser2k9]

You have just made my day. Period. A stand at the show? GREAT.

When the show starts, you have to head to the BMW stand, with the hopes that they might be showing the new-model 3 Series Coupe. Other than that, since it's a longshot they'll bring the 458 (it wasn't at Detroit), or the HTT Plethore, I can't foresee many debuts for North America (maybe some Canadian debuts).

 

[James2097]

Will hydrogen always be the fuel of the future? Will the internal combustion engine be around for much longer than we're all assuming?

In terms of design, the challenge to make a stylish/aesthetically pleasing car must be extraordinarily hard with increasing importance put on crash/pedestrian safety, aerodynamics/new tech etc. How will the next trend in car design beat these challenges and produce an inspiring product? For instance, people have so far bought a Prius largely out of a mix of guilt, desire to be a positive role model in society, environment issues etc. But when will ordinary folk (who aren't called Leo or Al) be convinced that a hybrid/EV/other powered car is the best and most logical choice, and be genuinely excited by it's design? Is that day near? If yes - we have a genuine new chapter in automotive design.

Also, tell GM to zip up Saab's body bag already, the smell is awful.

 

[Public'sTwin]

You have just made my day. Period. A stand at the show? GREAT.

When the show starts, you have to head to the BMW stand, with the hopes that they might be showing the new-model 3 Series Coupe. Other than that, since it's a longshot they'll bring the 458 (it wasn't at Detroit), or the HTT Plethore, I can't foresee many debuts for North America (maybe some Canadian debuts).

Just for clarification— GTP does not have a booth at the Autoshow. I am GTP's media corespondent for the Auto Show; that is, where Newspapers send their members of the press to get stories and pictures for that Newspaper, GTP has sent our 'members of the press' to get stories and pictures for our own content.

I am that member of the press, and if approved via CIAS Press application process, so too is eMad. We are the ones who will be doing the reporting on the show during the Media Preview day before the show starts to give you a heads-up on what to look for, what some of the highlights are, and how good the lunch was. (Kidding.)

But rest assured, once we find the BMW booth (which tends be obscured behind giant white illuminated walls) we'll investigate the new 3-series and get some first-hand impressions as well as whatever can be gleaned from BMW's PR/experts present. 👍

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

Ask what the plan is for the S2000 and if theres any redesign on the way. Also, tell keep chanting "bring back the Prelude" while the guys talking until Honda listens to you.

 

[ND4SPD]

Drill Mazda about the 16x.

 

[Public'sTwin]

Anything specific you guys would like me to ask, or shall we leave it up to general info?

And @ Jeff: Are you coming this year?

 

[ND4SPD]

I'm hoping too. Have gone the past 4 years so I might as well not break tradition.

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

Meh, I used to go every year, but then I found it just got to be the same thing every year (except for the odd new model) so I'm on a little break from it. Granted, going out after with friends was always the highlight anyways, but still, you can only flick so many quarters on the ground at Hooters and still be amused.

 

[Jim Prower]

>>

<<

I might go to Chicago...what would it take for me to cover that show for you guys?

 

[Public'sTwin]

>>

<<

I might go to Chicago...what would it take for me to cover that show for you guys?

Are you a member of the press? (eg. Newspaper work, published articles, photography etc.)

 

[Jim Prower]

Sadly...no. I could write something up here, but...meh.

 

[Public'sTwin]

UPDATED SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
February 11, 2010

GREEN VEHICLES

* 2009 Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE
* 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid
* 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid
* 2011 Chevrolet Volt
* 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Sports Car
* 2010 Honda Insight
* 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid

_____________________________________________________

FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
(as of January 23, 2010)

SOUTH MTCC
7:30 AM Media Breakfast presented by Natural Resources Canada

8:00 AM CIAS Opening Ceremonies
co-presented by AutoTrader and
Natural Resources Canada

8:15 AM AJAC Canadian Car of the Year Awards

8:40 AM NRCan's EnerGuide Awards

9:05 AM CHRYSLER

9:25 AM VOLKSWAGEN

9:45 AM BMW GROUP

10:00 AM MINI

10:15 AM KIA

10:30 AM MERCEDES-BENZ

10:45 AM AUDI

11:00 AM GENERAL MOTORS

11:15 AM HYUNDAI

11:30 AM MAZDA

11:45 AM MITSUBISHI

12:00 PM SHUTTLE OR WALK TO NORTH MTCC
-------------------
NORTH MTCC
12:30 PM FORD

12:45 PM FORD MEDIA LUNCH

1:30 PM TOYOTA / LEXUS

2:00 PM HONDA

2:15 PM NISSAN / INFINITI

2:30 PM INFINITI MEDIA RECEPTION

3:30 PM Media Day Ends

 

[Public'sTwin]

UPDATED Show highlights:
CARROLL SHELBY GALA RECEPTION
The Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) in Toronto will host the Carroll Shelby Gala Reception in honour of automotive legend Carroll Shelby, who will be inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame at that time as its first International member. Attendees will have an exclusive preview of the show&#8217;s spectacular exhibit of cars significant to Shelby&#8217;s long career, in the presence of the great man himself.
A special edition to the Gala Reception is a 2011 Ford Shelby GT 500, with Shelby&#8217;s autograph prominent on the hood, that will be auctioned live at the Gala Reception, along with other exclusive Shelby-related items.
Vehicles present include:
Allard J2X 1965 Shelby GT 350
1962 Cobra CSX 2002 Ford GT 40 Mk. I (P1037)
Cobra &#8220;Daytona Coupe&#8221; CSX 2299 Ford GT40 Mk. IV (J-Car)

VEHICLE PREMIERES
BMW Active Hybrid7
BMW Z4 sDrive35is
2011 Ford Focus
2011 Lincoln MKX
2011 Buick Regal
2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Sports Car
2011 Hyundai Sonata
2009 Mazda RX-8 hydrogen RE
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
2010 Toyota Prius Plug-In Vehicle
Lexus LF-Ch Hybrid Concept

CONCEPT CARS
To date, the following concepts are confirmed:
-MINI Beachcomber Concept
-Mazda 2Evil Special Concept
-Mazda Active2 Surf Special Concept
-Concept PX-MiEV
-Lexus LF-Ch Hybrid Concept

And perhaps what we're all waiting for. . .
CEO & SENIOR EXECUTIVES
BMW
Franz Jung &#8211; President and CEO
John Cappella &#8211; Director of MINI Canada
Chrysler Canada Inc.
Reid Bigland, President and CEO
Ford Motor Company of Canada
David Mondragon , President and CEO
General Motors of Canada Limited
Marc Comeau, Vice President
Tony LaRocca, Director of Communications
Honda Canada Inc.
Jerry Chenkin, Executive Vice President
Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
John Vernile, V.P of sales and marketing
Steve Kelleher, President and CEO
Phillip Zak, Chief Designer (Hyundai Design Center)
Mazda Motor Corporation
Takashi Yamanouchi, President and CEO
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc.
Mr. Koji Soga, President & CEO
Nissan Canada Inc.
Bruce Campbell, Vice President of Nissan Design America
Toyota Canada Inc. & Lexus
Stephen Beatty, Managing Director
Larry Hutchinson, Director
Sandy Di Felice, Director
Volkswagen Canada
John White, President



Now that you know who will represent each company, perhaps you'd like to use the opportunity you now have to address these men directly

 

[Omnis]

Ask Hyundai if they're putting the new 2.4L Turbo in the Genesis Coupe. Also, try to get more info on the new Elantra.

Ask VW about bringing the Golf GTD to North America.

Try to get BMW to admit to incoherent and utterly stupid naming conventions.

 

[Jordan]

What's your itinerary look like, PT? Will you be offering your impressions at the end of each day or are you going to wait until the end of the show to write everything up?

But rest assured, once we find the BMW booth (which tends be obscured behind giant white illuminated walls) we'll investigate the new 3-series and get some first-hand impressions as well as whatever can be gleaned from BMW's PR/experts present. 👍

See if they have anything to say about the success of the M3 GTS in Europe (no specific numbers have been released, but they're sold out). Has the popularity of the car made any sort of impression on upper management?

 

[newuser2k9]

Thanks for the updates. My bad on initially misreading the stand issue. If your information is correct, sadly, it appears not only is BMW giving us the cold shoulder on the 3(/335is), but the 5 as well - stupid, considering it will be months until New York and these cars will likely be available for purchase very soon. Then again, it is BMW. Another good group of Germans to check out would be the apparently Detroit show-rivalling MB stand. Maybe they'll give you a hint at the Canadian price of the SLS .

 

[Public'sTwin]

What's your itinerary look like, PT? Will you be offering your impressions at the end of each day or are you going to wait until the end of the show to write everything up?

Depending on if I join in for the second day&#8212;which opens to the public&#8212;I should be able to have it done by night's end [of the Media Preview Day]: my partial intent, after all, is to give advance notice of what can be expected for those attending.

Interviews and the like&#8212;that is, answers to questions not especially pertinent to the show per se may take a backseat depending on the permissions of time with travel periods taken into account.

If I do stay in Toronto an extra day to attend the public opening, my write-up will be contingent upon the availability of a local PC or laptop.

Pictures, however, may take some time&#8212; but I'll be sure to upload the Carol Shelby segments ASAP.

See if they have anything to say about the success of the M3 GTS in Europe (no specific numbers have been released, but they're sold out). Has the popularity of the car made any sort of impression on upper management?

Can-do, I will direct it to Franz Jung if possible. (If he's not available for comment&#8212;there are over 1000 other journalists attending&#8212;I can still shoot an email to his office later.)

Thanks for the updates. My bad on initially misreading the stand issue. If your information is correct, sadly, it appears not only is BMW giving us the cold shoulder on the 3(/335is), but the 5 as well - stupid, considering it will be months until New York and these cars will likely be available for purchase very soon. Then again, it is BMW. Another good group of Germans to check out would be the apparently Detroit show-rivalling MB stand. Maybe they'll give you a hint at the Canadian price of the SLS .

My prior experiences suggest that all vehicles which are currently on the market&#8212;barring Supercars, especially from Porsche&#8212;are typically present at the show. BMW has been very good about this in the past. The vehicles listed above are launches, and I believe this is either the first, or one of the first rounds they've made in public. (ie. not seen in showrooms.)

 

[Mr.Grandorifto]

Anything specific you guys would like me to ask, or shall we leave it up to general info?

And @ Jeff: Are you coming this year?

I will be there on Wed the 19th. I had posted a thread up a couple weeks back about meeting up at the show. Here's a link: https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=124627

 

[Public'sTwin]

Late-breaking update, to fill you guys in:

Press Release: The first Canadian Supercar, the Plethore LC-750, finally presented in Canada.

Recently arrived from Scottsdale, Arizona, where the well-
known Barrett-Jackson Autoshow took place from January 17th
to 24th, HTT Technologies now announces its presence at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto from February 12th to 21st, 2010 (www.autoshow.ca).

The first Canadian Supercar, the Plethore LC-750, literally stole the show at the Barrett-Jackson Autoshow. The HTT team is naturally extremely satisfied to have signed a few orders but even more so at the public&#8217;s immense enthusiasm towards their vehicle. The audience devoured the car&#8217;s every detail down to each curve and line of this new three-seater supercar with central driver position, the Plethore LC-750.

Mr. Sébastien Forest, president of HTT, declared, &#8220;Mission Accomplished! The comments were unanimous and it&#8217;s with great optimism that we start the year 2010. Our presence in Toronto will be the perfect occasion to become known at home in Canada. We are extremely proud to finally present our Plethore to the Canadian public.&#8221;

The Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto is the first Canadian event in which HTT will participate and during which journalists and visitors will be able to admire the first Canadian Supercar, the Plethore LC-750.

2010: A promising year

Mr. Forest comments, &#8220;2010 will be a big year for HTT. We have already pre-sold almost all our
first year&#8217;s production. We will begin assembling in the next few weeks for deliveries in the Fall
2010. We will also make our European entry next April at the Top Marques Monaco Autoshow.&#8221;

The Toronto AutoShow will allow HTT to solidify its roots and demonstrate to the Canadian public that the exotic car market is not reserved exclusively for European manufacturers.

Come meet us from February 12th
to 21st, 2010, at the Canadian International AutoShow in
Toronto to admire this work of art that has often been compared to a Picasso on 4 wheels.

Edit: This thing:

 

[Public'sTwin]

Just got another email, about 2 hours ago:

Mitsubishi's global president unveils Concept PX-MiEV in Toronto

TORONTO, Ont. (Feb. 9, 2010) - Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. invites you to join its global president, Mr. Osamu Masuko, along with its Canadian president and CEO Koji Soga, for the Canadian unveiling of its concept vehicle PX-MiEV.

Joining us will be a representative from Transport Canada to share in our announcement concerning Mitsubishi's all-electric vehicle, i-MiEV.

All of this takes place at the Mitsubishi Exhibit in the South M.T.C.C. (Metro Toronto Convention Centre) during press day activities at the Canadian International Auto Show, in Toronto, on February 11th at 11:45 am.

What: Mitsubishi Press Conference
When: Thursday February 11, 2010 : 11:45 am (Press Conference)
Where: Mitsubishi Exhibit South M.T.C.C. Toronto
Who: Mr. Osamu Masuko, President Mitsubishi Motor Corporation

Likely to be more releases announced as the date approaches.

 

[Joel]

Wow. That Plethore looks amazing!

 

[Public'sTwin]

The tragic and realistic news of this event is thus:

All of your questions proposed I can answer with "no comment". It is with first hand experience I can confidently say these men - bar Volkswagen and Toyota - are slimier than politicians.

Volkswagen's comments regarding a Golf GTD model in North America are thus: "It's something we're looking into." Vague, but not an answer in the negative.

Toyota, admirably, was very forthcoming and quite candid with their acknowledgments and goals in regards to the current recall situation which has been so publicly disseminated.

Edit:

Ask Hyundai if they're putting the new 2.4L Turbo in the Genesis Coupe. Also, try to get more info on the new Elantra.

Ask VW about bringing the Golf GTD to North America.

Regarding the 2.4L turbo: "I can't really say anything."
"You're prohibited or unaware?"
"I just...can't really talk about it."

The Golf GTD was a much more positive response:
"And any chance of the Golf GTD reaching shores?"
"It's something that we're interested in; we're looking at all kinds of options, and it's certainly one of them."

See if they have anything to say about the success of the M3 GTS in Europe (no specific numbers have been released, but they're sold out). Has the popularity of the car made any sort of impression on upper management?

Franz Jung - Vice President of BMW Canada
"It has, and we're very pleased with the success. BMW's history in motorsport . . . [platitudes and PR stuff follow]"
"And a North American GTS?"
"We haven't set anything in stone yet."

 

[Troux]

What's the matte black vehicle with the HREs, and the yellow car with the exposed engine?

 

[01GTP]

Very interesting photo's.

Thank you for sharing them and the info you did get.

 

[ND4SPD]

Awesome stuff. Planning on going on Monday, since it seems like the only day any of us get off where we can go.

 

[Jordan]

Franz Jung - Vice President of BMW Canada
"It has, and we're very pleased with the success. BMW's history in motorsport . . . [platitudes and PR stuff follow]"
"And a North American GTS?"
"We haven't set anything in stone yet."

That's what I thought they would say, but it's cool that you got to pose the question to someone like that. Thanks for bringing it up!

 

[Public'sTwin]

That's what I thought they would say, but it's cool that you got to pose the question to someone like that. Thanks for bringing it up!

If you thought Jung was bad, MINI's rep was even more elusive.

(And GM's was downright rude. Marc Comeau, GM's Canadian President, simply handed me his card and walked away.)

What's the matte black vehicle with the HREs, and the yellow car with the exposed engine?

Matte black car is a Pfafft Tuning Audi R8, and the yellow car's privateparts belong to that of a 1966 Ford GT40.