New York Auto Show - Less is more

After many exhaustive hours during my three days at the New York Auto Show (NYIAS), I walked out with a full understanding of the term “less is more”. Just a few weeks prior to NYC, I found myself in a meeting with some Chrysler guys and I heard them describe Manhattan’s Jacob Javitz Convention Center as a “dollhouse”, compared to venues like the Cobo Center in Detroit, and the McCormick Place in Chicago. Missi and I arrived at 6:45 in the morning on the first media day expecting a tiny, cramped, and run down place. And although facility crews were still fixing last minute details, we were in awe of the giant glass structure that covered the building. We were also in awe at the amount of levels this building contains, definitely more than the original Tetris.

Sure the manufacturer stages and displays are much smaller, but we both found it just as fun and engaging as any of the other major auto shows. And, for those that go to auto shows to see cars and not burn calories (raise your hand), there is no need to bring a sweatband, extra water and energy bars like you do in Chicago. Score!

I truly enjoyed seeing some manufacturers that I’d never seen at a show before, like Rolls Royce, McLaren and Aston Martin. Because checking out the latest Toyota Rav4 is fun and all, but nothing beats lounging in a Rolls Royce Wraith, or squeezing into a McLaren 570S, which by the way, I asked them when they could drop off a yellow one for review. The British lad kindly gave me a business card with generic media info and said to go on the web for information. Wait, aren’t the media people here at the… show? Ah, I see what you did there mister fancy McLaren dude! Rolls Royce had nicer staff, models, and they were serving champagne anyways.

The lighter, faster, McLaren 675LT

The outrageous 7.0 liter, V12, 700-hp Aston Martin Vulcan

Because spending ten hours a day for two media days wasn’t enough, Missi and I came back a third time for the public show opening day, as we both believe it’s crucial to interact with you —our follower. If it weren’t for you then I wouldn’t be sitting here typing this, and I think that as auto journalists grow into their careers, they get carried away by the fancy events, receptions, and special preview days free of children and crowds. And while I hate having to fight a mob of villagers to get a clear shot, I must always remind myself that those perfectly-outlined finger prints on the black Porsche 911 are the same ones double-tapping my photos on Instagram.

Another great reason to visit during the public show is because we are called “Drives With Girls” duhhh… Which means it’s not just me, and not even just Missi and I, its our entire family! I had the pleasure of enjoying the fun atmosphere and cars in the company of my daughters, and even my dad who flew in from Mexico to hang out with us. Which reminds me, shout out to Aston Martin and Rolls Royce for allowing all of us to come behind the velvet ropes and letting dad and the kids climb into the cars. My 11-year old daughter just went nuts sitting in the backseat of a Rapide, and Dad was mesmerized by the interiors on the Phantom Drophead Coupe.

At the end of our visit, I couldn’t be any happier with how our trip turned out. It was very interesting to peek into the northeast market, and confirm that the passion for all car related things abounds. All the work that the manufacturers put in to bring cars to the consumer in cool and engaging ways, all the PR and media representatives that spend endless hours talking to people like us, and even the guys that go around cleaning cars to make sure our photos look spectacular to the masses, they all deserve a high-five, and a thank you. Also, a massive thanks to Kia for allowing my family to travel in style aboard the fantastic 2015 Kia Sedona. Next in the schedule is Deutschland! Will we make it there? We’d love to, but who knows!

Enjoy some of our favorite photos from the show.