I haven’t been to an auto show with so many actual significant reveals, from so many different automakers, with so many journalists in attendance since the pandemic. It’s kind of a wonderful feeling, and I’m looking forward to what I’m going to see today.
Yes, this is a live Morning Dump from the New York Auto Show. Or, rather, from the hotel I’m staying at for this trip to the New York Auto Show. A hotel full of journalists. Toyota and Subaru, for sure, have flown auto scribes in from around the country. I’m the guest of Hyundai, which brought in what looked like two dozen or more of us.
Most of today’s news will be of the auto show variety (stuff not quite deep enough for its own story), but I’ll weave in a little other news as well.
Automakers Are Spending Money At Auto Shows Again
The reality is that auto shows became outrageously expensive for brands, with booths costing upwards of $10 million before you even got to the cost of staffing them and paying, like, Bryan Adams to come out and see a song (a real thing that happened).
Even worse, there were a few big global shows and at least four events in America (Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago) you had to attend. In an early, pre-Internet era, this made its own sort of economic sense as automakers had to appeal to a lot fewer journalists during press days.
The Internet didn’t ruin this entirely, but it accelerated a trend that was already underway. Automakers were all fighting for attention on the same day, and some lost. Rather than spend millions to lose, PR departments realized they could just take their ball and go home. Pick another random day, fly everyone to Hawaii, and show off your cars in a controlled environment where you’re not competing for attention with everyone else. It was not only a near guarantee of attention, they thought, but also net cheaper.
I’m not entirely certain what has caused so many automakers this week in New York to change their minds. Is it that their presence at the auto show has gotten cheaper? Is it that, while there are more brands here this year, it’s not as crowded a space as in the past?
It’s one of the big questions I’m going to ask today as Brian and I tramp around the floor of the auto show.
Prestige Graphite Trim Comes To GV70
I was invited to a dinner by Genesis last night at the fancy New York Genesis House for, I think, the third time in a row. I guess I haven’t overstayed my welcome yet. It’s always a lovely affair, and the execs and PR staff at the company have a kind of relaxed confidence that comes from kicking giant moon jars full of ass lately.
Obviously, all the journalists immediately flocked to the G90 Wingback “design study” that looks weirdly like a production car. It’s amazing, and Genesis should build it. The photos of the car were so stunning, I assumed in person I’d find a way to be disappointed, if only to shield myself from the sometimes oppressive power of hope, but it was impossible. I could find no real fault.
The other car there was the 2027 GV70 Prestige Graphite, which is the new trim applied to the extremely popular and altogether nice GV70. Here’s a description:
The exterior of the 2027 GV70 Prestige Graphite features a darker, performance-driven character that sets it apart from the rest of the lineup. The vehicle has 21” dark metallic glossy alloy wheels which enhance its athletic stance. Complementing the wheels are new, exclusive red brake calipers that emphasize the model’s performance orientation and give the exterior a bold touch. Gloss black mirror caps add a sleek, athletic feel, while dark chrome accents applied throughout the exterior further refine GV70’s already distinctive styling.
Inside, GV70 Prestige Graphite features Nappa leather seating surfaces with suede inserts, and headrest logo embossing, creating a refined yet athletic interior environment. New carbon fiber trim adds a high-performance edge to the cabin’s aesthetic and provides a striking visual contrast to the soft-touch materials. The unique startup animation further enhances the digital experience from the moment the driver enters the vehicle.
It looked good in person.
Ford Celebrates 30 Years Of Expedition With 2027 Ford Expedition 30th Anniversary Appearance Package
Again, not all of the news today is of the big, global reveal variety. Ford is celebrating 30 years of the Ford Expedition with a special appearance package. What do you get?
The deep, rich tone of the available, exclusive Blue Ember metallic tri-coat exterior paint makes an immediate statement. Originally reserved only for the Mustang Dark Horse, the exterior color is meant to highlight Expedition’s power, refinement, and distinctly premium identity. Available on Expedition’s stealth appearance trim, the anniversary appearance package is differentiated by its lighter, salt crystal gray interior trim.
Complementing this unique paint are aggressive 22-inch high-gloss ebony wheels. Their dark, sleek finish contrasts sharply with the Blue Ember paint, enhancing the vehicle’s commanding road presence.
There are also badges. Ford loves anniversary badges. I do think it should have been the red-and-black of the Funkmaster Flex Ford Expedition, but you can’t always get what you want.
California Dealers Get To Keep Suing Volkswagen Over Scout
Someone asked me the other day what I thought of Scout, and I had to admit that I wasn’t 100% sure it was going to come to market. I love the look and the concept. I think it could fit in the market. However, its already prolonged reveal period has been prolonged even more, and the company is righteously pissing off dealers. As I wrote before, Volkswagen is pretending as if Scout isn’t a wholly-owned company and therefore should be able to get sold without dealers.
Scout has successfully argued that they should be able to sell cars directly in Colorado, which should be a huge market for the brand. In California, likely the biggest market, well… Automotive News reports it’s not going so well:
It’s a major legal setback for Scout and Volkswagen of America in the nation’s largest new-vehicle market as the companies prepare to launch U.S. sales straight to consumers, a practice vehemently opposed by franchised dealers.
The California lawsuit claims Scout’s direct-to-consumer model violates a state law that was amended and took effect Jan. 1, 2024. The dealer association considers Scout, wholly owned by Volkswagen AG, to be an affiliate brand of VW.
The amended law requires affiliated brands to use franchised dealers to sell and service vehicles, the lawsuit says.
This is far from over, but it’s an awkward position for Volkswagen, which hasn’t exactly delivered exciting products to dealers lately. On the other hand, Scout has to compete against Rivian, Tesla, and Lucid, and none of those brands has to go through dealers. Is there some reasonable middle ground here?
What I’m Listening To While Writing TMD
It’s the great Billy Joel performing “New York State of Mind.” Perfect.
The Big Question
What new car are you most excited about?
Top photo: Matt Hardigree
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