Today, I went to see the Fort Worth Auto Show, held at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
If you go to the show, garage parking is $10. I just want you to be prepared. The Convention Center is in southern downtown, adjacent to the Fort Worth Water Gardens.
Take a sack lunch. Make a day of it. Friday. Maybe even Saturday. Sunday, it’s supposed to get colder and rain.
Back to the show…
I knew Fisker was going to be there, so that was my main motivation. I’ve seen Karmas in parking lots, but haven’t sat in one, driven one, etc.
I still haven’t. (more on that later)
I was hoping to see a lot of electrics, plug-in hybrids and extended range electrics but pickings were fairly slim. Fisker had 4 Karmas present and they were beautiful. (gallery of Fiskers here) However, one of the gentlemen manning their exhibit said they were not allowed to unlock the car doors, so any interior shots would have to be made through the glass. Fisker corporate did not appear to be present. The people I spoke with were from Frank Kent Fisker. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to visit them soon and get detailed information (and some personal observations for you).
Originally, December 5th was supposed to be a “Media Day” for the show, but that got cancelled. Instead, the media were invited to attend with the public. Present at each manufacturers area were spokespeople. Pretty ladies. Handsome men. Memorized, and some detailed presentations, but no ability to do a deep dive.
Speaking of spokespeople, it seems auto shows are still about horsepower and glitz. Where there were stages set up and someone presenting, it was never about an electric vehicle. It was a big SUV, or muscle car. They’re sexy (the cars, not the spokespeople) (well, okay the spokespeople, too) but this is the year that Tesla became Motor Trend’s Car of the Year. This is the second year in a row that the Chevy Volt reigned supreme in the Consumer Reports owner satisfaction survey.
This is the year of the electric car, dammit!
I guess word hasn’t gotten out to the auto show vendors yet…
I was hoping the Cadillac ELR electric concept car would be there. Or the Chevy Spark electric. Or any Ford electric. I knew Tesla wasn’t going to be there, but I wanted that anyway. Never let reality intrude on your perceptions.
I was pleased that there were two Chevy Volts present. I was surprised though, that no matter how long someone looked at a Volt or how many people were standing at the Volt, no one came up to discuss the vehicle with potential customers.
Of course, you know what happened next.
I started selling Volts.
It started innocently enough. I was standing at a Volt and a couple came over to check it out. We got talking. Yada yada yada. They got enthusiastic. Another couple came by. The husband apparently works for Chevrolet. He thanked me for my purchase when I mentioned we have two Volts. We discussed leasing, tax incentives, quick chargers. I think they’re going to go test drive one. (of course, I told them to go to Classic Chevrolet in Grapevine…)
People who had been standing nearby, while I chatted with others, stopped me later, at other areas of the show to ask about the Volt. Two or three said I should work for GM.
One last thing, there was a big display in the middle of the show for Quaker Steak & Lube.
Not Quaker State. Quaker Steak. It’s a restaurant that’s coming to Dallas & Plano in 2013. They have a burger advertised as the “legendary Lubeburger.” I’m going to definitely have to check that out, if it’s for real.
