As has long been custom, the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) is scheduled this year around Easter week. The show officially opened to the public last Friday March 29, and will be open through next Sunday April 7. Press days were Wednesday and Thursday March 27 & 28, and I was there on the 27^th, again able to attend on a press pass representing Richard’s Car Blog.

For show-goers excited to see some well-known domestic brands such as Buick, Cadillac, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram, as well as big import manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Mini, Mazda, and Alfa Romeo, I have disappointing news: NONE of these manufacturers entered their wares in the 2024 edition of the NYIAS. This trend is not surprising, and has been ongoing for several years. In our internet-driven 21^st century world, many automobile manufacturers are seeing diminishing returns for their not-inexpensive investment in global auto shows. One side effect of such decisions is that those who do show up to play (including Toyota/Lexus, Nissan/Infiniti, Honda/Acura, Hyundai/Genesis/Kia, and Subaru) take advantage of the physically larger footprint available to them.

Perhaps the oddest decision to me was the way that GM and FoMoCo “split the bill”. There were large displays from Chevrolet and GMC, but sister brands Buick and Cadillac stayed home. Similarly, there were plenty of Ford-branded cars and trucks while Lincoln sat it out. What does that say about how top-level executives view their portfolios? Note that I excluded Jeep from the “absent from class” list above. While no new Jeeps graced the carpeted main floor, Jeep did again have its simulated off-road track experience set up outside. Even on press day, there was a line of people wanting a ride.

The bottom level of the Javits Center was again mostly occupied by a large EV test track. Ironically, there were Cadillac EVs there, as well as EVs from Ford, Hyundai, and Kia. Also downstairs: a two-car Lucid display. (Hey! Get one while they’re still building them!) It is noteworthy that EVs are still being pushed while U.S. sales show a strong shift toward hybrids.

Below is my commentary by manufacturer, in no particular order.

 

THE HYUNDAI GROUP (HYUNDAI, KIA, GENESIS)

Quite possibly the stars of the show, these 3 brands offer style and features compatible with competitive vehicles, while usually undercutting them on price. Remember when car shows always included a good selection of concept vehicles? Hyundai remembers. Painting all 3 in bright orange and lining them up was traffic-stopping. I don’t think there were any other true concepts at Javits this year. Their production models are outstanding as well. The new Santa Fe looks like a Range Rover, which is not a bad thing, and the Genesis SUVs are, in my opinion, some of the best-looking of the genre available today.

 

 

SUBARU

We’ve seen this act before: a manufacturer takes a vehicle attribute which is readily available among other car makers, and markets it to make it its own. Granted, Subaru was an early pioneer of AWD, but even as the rest of the world added it, Subaru never stopped hawking it. Folded into the mix is the whole outdoorsy, paved/off-road, car-for-all-seasons seasoning, and voila! We get Subaru = Love.

Can’t say they haven’t been successful with it, though. The real shock to me is how Subaru now claims safety as another badge of honor. Have you seen any of their recent TV commercials? As someone who worked for the Volvo brand for 30 years, I stopped dead in my tracks when I spotted the wrecked Subaru. Who has the nerve to display such a thing? In the past, only Volvo would have. Of course, Volvo didn’t show up, so Subaru has the badge to itself. Perhaps just as shocking was seeing the 20-year-old Forester, another way for Subaru to brag about its heritage.

 

 

 

VOLKSWAGEN

Speaking of heritage, who doesn’t remember the Beetle? And if you do, then you certainly remember the bus. VW brought a 1949 Beetle to the show (quite rare) and then parked it alongside the ID.Buzz, the modern EV version of the beloved hippiemobile. They were both painted a similar shade of blue as well. Was the Beetle there to remind us of how inexpensive VW’s used to be? My very first new car was a 1977 VW Rabbit, which stickered at $3,599. Today’s GTi, sized and shaped not all that differently from my bunny, displayed a Monroney claiming that the GTi starts at $31,765, not bad with current average transaction prices hovering near 50 large. But note that the vehicle on display really costs $42,000.

 

 

TOYOTA

Four vehicles, four quick comments. The 2025 Camry has entered itself in the Ugliest Car Grille competition, giving some of its Lexus cousins a serious challenge. Who designed the Toyota Crown? Are its “distinctive” looks designed to make it easier to find in a parking lot?? If you think the GTi is expensive at $42k, check out this Corolla GR for $47k.  And finally, the new Land Cruiser is easily the best-looking of these 4, with its retro design that avoids current cliches.

 

FORD

April 1964: The Ford Motor Company unveils a new youth-oriented car, the Mustang, making its debut at that year’s New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY.

April 2024: At this year’s NYIAS in the Javits Center, exactly 10.3 miles from Flushing Meadow Park (according to Google Maps), the Ford Motor Company celebrates the 60^th anniversary of the Mustang. On display: plenty of new Mustangs. MIA: any previous generation Mustangs, any mention or memorabilia from the World’s Fair, and any historical records from the model’s long and successful history. I think Ford missed a significant opportunity.

 

 

CLASSIC CARS

Each year, the NYIAS seems to find a way to squeeze in one or two classic car displays. This year did not disappoint, and better yet, they were in easily accessed areas, compared to previous years when they were tucked into a basement corner.

 

FINAL COMMENTS

It’s been decades since I commuted via mass transit. On the Port Imperial ferry, I noticed how eerily quiet the cabin was. As this photo shows, it’s because almost no one actually speaks to any human beings anymore. Everyone has their nose in their phone.

Hyundai was so dominant, even their banners took over the front lobby.

This vehicle did not make it to the show this year.

 

All photographs copyright © 2024 Richard A. Reina. Photos may not be copied or reproduced without express written permission.