Sunday, January 28, 2007 11:34 PM

The 103rd Annual New York Auto Show The Largest Show of its Kind With over 1.3 million people attending.
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Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York City

(Greater New York Automobile Dealers Assocation—GNYADA Chairmain of the Board: Steve Cannata) The 103rd Annual New York Auto Show is truly the largest show of its kind. It opened up with a wonderful breakfast that was furnished by the International Motor Press Association (IMPA). There, we enjoyed a generous serving of food while listening to the latest in automobile trends by top executives from the automotive industry. We first heard from Mark Scheinberg, President of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Assocation) who spoke about the relationship between the dynamics of the industry and its ability to react to global changes. Topics included the IMPA’s ability to consistently adapt to these global changes.

We also heard a message from Daniel L. Doctoroff, the Deputy Mayor of New York City, who spoke about how the City can benefit from hosting the 2012 Olympics. He pointed out the intensity of the relationship between the automotive industry and the economic prosperity of New York City, and commented that the automotive industry is a major supporter of the Olympic movement. We also heard from Ms. Candida Romanelli, the Vice President of Special Products and Events at GNYADA, who spoke about the automotive industry’s plan to achieve its goal of expanding in size and stature by bringing compelling new products to the market.

Next up was Mr. Nick Scheele, the President and Chief Operations Officer of the Ford Motor Company, who sits on the Board of Directors. Mr. Scheele is the official who is primarily responsible for the Ford Motor Company’s worldwide sales. Reflecting on Ford’s 100-year history, Mr. Scheele spoke about the various phases of growth the company had experienced since the Model-T. It was truly awesome to listen to one of the topmost officials of the one company that started the automotive industry on its way. He literally mesmerized us with his dynamic vision for where his company is headed. Mr. Scheele likened Ford Motors to that of a tidal wave, slowly building up underneath the water with greater and greater power, then, as it approaches the shore, it is forced out of the water to rise high up, just as Ford Motors is slowly building up underneath, then rising up to overtake the industry. He spoke about the different levels of performance, for example, he compared the Mercury Mountaineer and the Ford Explorer. He also stated how the Ford F Series truck is still one of the top-selling and still finest trucks on the market.

After Mr.Scheele finished speaking, he opened up the floor for questions. At this point, my associate had asked the question “Do you believe that every chief officer of his car company should drive the very car his company produces?”, to which Mr. Scheele replied “Yes, I drive a Lincoln Aviator”. At the end of the breakfast, we approached Mr. Scheele to take photographs with him and congratulate him for the wonderful speech he delivered.

Lunch was furnished by Acura, and a lunch it was—white linen wait staff service and a three course meal of chicken in a delicate cream sauce, which we enjoyed after listening to Honda America’s Vice President Thomas G. Elliot speak of how Honda has lead the automotive industry’s sales since the late ninety’s, and how the exciting new hybrid and fuel-cell technologies will further enhance Honda’s sales despite the economic slowdown. He then went to talking about the Acura line and its unsurpassed level of precision. We then saw an exhilarating video featuring the newest breed of Acura, the brand new 2004 TL luxury performance sedan, which is a sure competitor among premium sports sedans from Europe and Japan. Then, we heard a word from Jon Ikeda, the TL’s lead designer, who indicated that every smallest facet of this incredible set of wheels is designed to flawlessly integrate perfectly with the rest of the car, from the streamlining of the curves at the front of the car, to the door handles. When the curtain rose above the stage model of the TL that was featured, I was uncertain as to whether the “smoke” coming up from behind the car was coming from the back of the stage or the car itself! Congratulations to Acura once again for its leadership in precision crafted performance!

I also had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Tim Conner, the promotional manager for Onstar. I was very impressed with the technology behind the Onstar system, from its global positioning system, which indicates one’s precise location wherever they may be, to the automatic dial-in system which enables Onstar’s home office to dial up the system in the car and unlock its doors in the event one locks their keys in the car. Another other exciting feature of the Onstar system is its ability to dial back the home office in the event the airbag fires off. This life-saving system will dial up the home office and transmit the car’s location from its built-in global positioning system, alerting the home office of the driver’s or passenger’s distress, calling for help to dispatch the EMS.

Tim also had the original Batman car right there with him. This car, which was made in England at Pinewood Studios, was featured in four Warner Brothers Batman movies. The car represents special integration of parts from several manufacturers, each known for the performance or durability of that particular part. He even pointed out the flame rig on the back—a hot air balloon burner with a pump designed to accelerate the flames emerging from the car. Would you believe that this car is only insured for $40,000? It cost a whopping $1,000,000 to produce.

I also had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Nick Crispe, who is in charge of the public relations, alongside his partner, Mr. Chris Sams. Mr. Crispe has ten years of experience in public relations and had his own public relations company for the past six years. I was very impressed by Mr. Crispe’s manner of professionalism in the way he handled the public relations for the largest of all trade shows to ever be held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Mr. Crispe informed me that, right now, he is already planning the auto show for 2004. If you would like more information about the auto show, please feel free to visit the official website at www.autoshowny.com.

Be on the lookout for next months issue, featuring Auto Show 2003 Continued, which will feature an article showcasing a variety of beautiful luxury and dream cars with an array of full color photos. Be on the lookout for next months issue, featuring Auto Show 2003 Continued, which will feature an article showcasing a variety of beautiful luxury and dream cars with an array of full color photos.

Lidia Vita and Betty Coker are known as "The Dynamic Duo". The reason or this is they both work well hand-in-hand. They will cover trade shows, e.g. World Famous ENK shows, Fame shows, computer technology expos, gift shows and other trade shows and expos to educate you folks on how you can attend them, and give you exclusive, in-depth interviews with the vendors and the people behind these trade shows and the new products on the market. They will also educate you about different cultures and festivities. If you are interested in having the dynamic duo write about your festival or trade show, or have any comments or suggestions for them, please feel free to email them at dynamicduo@hadofnyc.org, or telephone them at our hotline, at (718) 507-7616 between the hours 8:00am and 8:00pm Monday through Friday.