So, yesterday, I went to the 26th Annual AJC Auto Show, held at the Georgia World Congress Center. Over all the event was done half-way decent, coordination and intelligence was scattered around unnecessarily and stupidity.

In years past, the auto show was held within one large showroom floor in Building A, however this year, the show was split up into 2 showrooms. I don’t know if the split was because of scheduling conflicts, or if it was because Building A was undergoing repairs from the tornado that went through the Atlanta-area a few months ago, but either way it was still decently organized.

This year, unlike last year, we decided to go on opening day, I was expecting there to be large crowds and plenty of energy, but the hussle and bussle just wasn’t there. To me, it felt like that the majority of people there weren’t there to check out the new concepts, the upcoming production models, or the exotic sports cars. The lack of energy just kinda made the event kinda bland, informative and entertaining, but still kinda bland.

Aside from the ‘bland-ness’ of the energy, the event was done quite well. The manufactures had some great displays with exotic concepts, and their models open for the public’s test. Manufactures from around the world - well those that are allowed for sale in the States - displayed their latest, greatest, and their newest concepts on display with information brochures. As usual the ‘everyday’ manufactures had their cars unlocked for the public to get in, sit down, push buttons, turn knobs, adjust seats, and everything. And, not to anyone’s surprise, the exotic, limited production cars (i.e.: Ferrari) had everything locked up and roped off. Really, the only car that I sat in that I would consider to be an exotic convertible, was the Cadillac XLR Roadster - tagged at over $100Gs, but then again, I assume Cadillac can afford to have one open for the public, since Caddy probably stamps out about a good 50 to 60 of the things a day.

Best Impressions
GM is starting their work on producing Hybrid SUVs (Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, etc) which is a great way to help improve milage in SUVs, but it’s still what it should be - EPA estimates of GMs full-size Hybrid SUVs is still 21 city and 22 highway - that is an improvement over 15 city, 17 highway, but with the technology we have today, we should have SUVs that get (in the worst case) a minimum of 25 highway. But then again, maybe I’m expecting too much from full-size SUVs, but it is a step in the right direction.

Along with the hybrid SUVs, GM is also getting into the full-electric ‘plug-in’ cars that emit zero-emissions (even though the emissions is still generated by burning coal at the electric power plants). GM is really doing their research into alternative fuels and power plants for the automotive industry. I’m pleased to see that a car company (an American car company at that) is taking responsibility for their poor fuel efficiency by taking action with their cars and trucks.

Toyota has already started with the Hybrid SUV, but it’s good to see a company that’s so large take the Hybrid SUV across the board, now if they’ll just take the Hybrid technology to their pickups, SUVs, and Vans, it’ll help drive their market stance even more.

I wasn’t able to get to every manufactures’ display, but the ones I did check out were well done and organized. Nissan had on display their all-new, fully redesigned (and first ever to the States) production model of the Nissan Skyline GT-R, or Nissan GT-R in the States. The new super car is an amazing balance of sophistication, power, and edge in one amazing design - either you’ll love it, or hate it. Personally, I love it, though I still prefer the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, which was discontinued in 2001.

As far as best concept, I’m really not sure. Some concepts were just too wild to be practical, others just didn’t strike a cord with me, but if I had to pick one, I’d say the Chevy Volt had a great futuristic style that still retained to be quite practical, and hopefully affordable.

The 2009 Dodge Challenger is one amazingly designed and incredible machine, I’m looking forward to seeing it on the roads in the next few years.

Best Design
Okay, so this may be a biased opinion, but the best designed car I saw would have to be a 3-way tie between the Volkswagen Tiguan, Volkswagen Jetta Sportswagen, and Audi R8.

I would also have to include the Dodge Challenger in this category, its retro’d modern design enhances the classic design from the 1970s into the present day, and sticks out in a great way - much like the original introduction of the New Beetle in 1998, and the PT Cruiser in 2001. Dodge has the same chance as Ford did with its retro’d Thunderbird.

As for the best display, I’d have to say that Ford had an interestingly layout, and I was surprised that they had the 40th Anniversary Shelby Mustang GT-500 wasn’t on a turntable, or even behind ropes. However, they did have their next cross-over box-wagon, the Ford Flex, on a turn table, which isn’t surprising since it’s one of their new concept vehicles.

Most Disappointing
I was actually disappointed with a few displays this year. Volkswagen (surprisingly) was one of them, along with Mercedes-Benz. Neither display really showcased all of their current, or upcoming models.

Mercedes-Benz didn’t have any concepts on display, nor did they have the E-Class wagon on display, just sedans and SUVs. Although, I was pleased to see Mercedes had most of their models sporting their BlueTec Diesel motors, so it’s good to see another company pushing Diesel motors into their passenger cars and consumer SUVs.

I was also disappointed with Volkswagen’s display. I was counting on the display to be larger with more pizazz, but alas this was not so. Their display only had their production vehicles, and only two ‘post-production’ cars. One Tiguan (Small-sized SUV, like the Honda CR-V) and the new Jetta Sportwagen - a mid-sized station wagon, just slightly smaller than the Passat wagon. Both were behind ropes. I was glad to the Tiguan, but I was sad that they only had the one, roped off. I was expecting there to be at least 2 open to the display, as well as a Routan, Volkswagens all-new mini-van. So, I was disappointed that the van wasn’t there and the Tiguan was roped off.

Overall
Overall, the event was great, but the lack of buzz and energy pulled the event down from it’s usual grandness to “that was fun, we should consider it again”

I’m hoping that next years’ is going to better. I wonder if the economy had anything to do with the lack of attendance and buzz.

We’ll see what happens.

Photos Coming Soon