The Economic Times of India, April 22, 2012
Over 1,000 gleaming cars, about 100 launches and roughly 10 lakh visitors: it doesn't get any grander. The biggest auto show of the year, if not in stature at least in size, kick-starts tomorrow. But it's not in Detroit or Frankfurt. It is happening in Beijing. And this shift in address says more about the new power equation in the auto industry than statistics could.
China isn't just the biggest market for cars, the deal breaker for world number one or two spots. It is fast developing as a manufacturing hub for both the mass and class market. Last year, the extravaganza in Shanghai attracted 7.85 lakh visitors and 12,500 journalists from 48 countries. This year, "the Beijing show will be the largest international show in terms of both the number of cars and visitor attendance", says Bill Russo, founder of Synergistics, a consulting firm in China.
Along with the new location are coming in new concepts and ideas as automakers move away from tradition to capture new markets and a tech-savvy generation of customers. In a curtain raiser, ET on Sunday analyses all the new trends of the global auto industry emerging from the show so you know what the ride is going to be like.
Rise of the BRIC
Once upon a time there was one big show, the Detroit show in January. And most auto firms kept their best unveilings for it. While Detroit pavilions remain the most coveted, other auto shows are fast becoming favourites for car launches. Automakers are investing more in emerging markets and scheduling more global debuts there.
Why? Because growth has shifted East, especially to China. Last year, the US sold 12.8 million cars. China notched up 18.5 million. Remember, the party always follows the business. The China show has also benefited from the decline in importance of the Tokyo show. Once the host of Asia's biggest show, Japan has become less important even as China is getting bigger. In fact in 2009, at the peak of economic crisis, the Tokyo show was almost shelved after major global automakers pulled out.
Previously held in October in odd-numbered years, the Tokyo show has now moved to December and the organisers have relegated it to a smaller, though better, venue in Tokyo. "Many automakers have been diverting some or all of their funding from the Tokyo show to either Beijing or Shanghai," says Michelle Krebs, senior analyst at Edmunds.com, an online resource centre on automobiles.
India's auto shows aren't anywhere in the top league yet. But Tim Dunne, director, global automotive operations, JD Power says the country's stock is rising. The number of automakers in India, current sales and more importantly, the potential for growth makes the country interesting for global automakers. "We are now seeing more investment in auto shows in India and Brazil," says Krebs.
Chronologically, auto shows have a set pattern. The Frankfurt show, dominated by the Germans, happens in September. The Paris Show, which was actually the first auto show in the world when it began in 1898 but is now past its prime, is held in October. The LA show is scheduled for November followed by the Tokyo show in December. Detroit is the first auto show of the calendar year, and is still the most coveted. It is followed by Chicago in February, Geneva in March and New York around Easter. China show, held in Beijing and Shanghai in alternate years, has booked a slot in April.
New Pecking Order
The calendar reveals the pecking order: the Tier I shows come first: Frankfurt, Paris, Geneva, Detroit and China. Tokyo has dropped out of the top league. Shows in Bangkok, India and Brazil are on the rise but have not broken into the top five, at least for the media.
There is another ranking, this one among auto shows within the US. Detroit is the big winner, followed by New York, LA and Chicago. New York is supposed to attract maximum consumer traffic but experts say the show has gone downhill in recent years.
Concepts and Fads
The cars that draw maximum gasps and questions from the audience are futuristic, concept cars, the stuff you'd expect to be in Batman's garage. Earlier companies loved flaunting them, designs you would never see on the road. But that's changing now. "Over time, fewer and fewer cars are pure fantasy driven. They have become more realistic," says Rebecca Lindland, auto analyst, IHS Global Insight.
Now the sexiest thing in new technology is green and small. Hybrids and electric vehicles are vying for attention as car companies showcase models with multiple fuel options. At the Detroit show, for example, Ford flaunted a redesigned Fusion sedan in gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.
Dodge, known for its big pickups, showcased the compact Dart. Not to be left behind, Audi pulled the covers off a bright Allroad wagon based on A4 and Hummer-famous GM had a smaller Buick Encore ready. The trend was followed in Geneva too where premium automakers showcased small cars, Audi had A3, Mercedes an A-class and Volvo a V40. Given rising fuel prices, environmental concerns and economic volatility smaller, power-packed feature-rich small cars are here to stay.
It's the Economy
But what's on display is not the only thing that makes an auto shows a hit. The economy plays a role too. If things are rough there, neither the customer nor the automaker is happy. The mood reflects in auto shows.
Off late, economic cycles have become sharper. And the financial health of OEMs is lot more volatile. Just in 2009, GM and Ford were struggling to keep afloat. These twists in fortune have a deep impact on the nature of auto shows.
Look no further than the history of Detroit to understand the economy effect. "In 2009-10, nobody was discussing new products. Everyone was talking about how best to survive the rough times," says Lindland. In two years, the good times rolled in again: there were 40-odd global debuts at the show in January this year.
The Moscow show has a similar story: in 2006, when the Russian economy was booming, GM chose the show to unveil its Chevrolet. Now, Moscow is almost off the auto show calendar. Just as Tokyo is barely hanging on as Japan's economy flounders.
The OEMs' financial health does have a bearing too. In 2009, many OEMs including Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Land Rover pulled out of the Detroit show.
In some cases it is a matter of choice and positioning. Nissan decided to give Detroit a miss for two years and participated in others like LA and New York shows. This year it returned to Detroit. Independent domestic Chinese OEMs like Geely Automotive too have been occasionally showing up at international shows like Detroit since 2006. "It is kind of wave which comes and goes. Turmoil in the company and the country reflects strongly," says Lindland.
Over 1,000 gleaming cars, about 100 launches and roughly 10 lakh visitors: it doesn't get any grander. The biggest auto show of the year, if not in stature at least in size, kick-starts tomorrow. But it's not in Detroit or Frankfurt. It is happening in Beijing. And this shift in address says more about the new power equation in the auto industry than statistics could.
China isn't just the biggest market for cars, the deal breaker for world number one or two spots. It is fast developing as a manufacturing hub for both the mass and class market. Last year, the extravaganza in Shanghai attracted 7.85 lakh visitors and 12,500 journalists from 48 countries. This year, "the Beijing show will be the largest international show in terms of both the number of cars and visitor attendance", says Bill Russo, founder of Synergistics, a consulting firm in China.
Along with the new location are coming in new concepts and ideas as automakers move away from tradition to capture new markets and a tech-savvy generation of customers. In a curtain raiser, ET on Sunday analyses all the new trends of the global auto industry emerging from the show so you know what the ride is going to be like.
Rise of the BRIC
Once upon a time there was one big show, the Detroit show in January. And most auto firms kept their best unveilings for it. While Detroit pavilions remain the most coveted, other auto shows are fast becoming favourites for car launches. Automakers are investing more in emerging markets and scheduling more global debuts there.
Why? Because growth has shifted East, especially to China. Last year, the US sold 12.8 million cars. China notched up 18.5 million. Remember, the party always follows the business. The China show has also benefited from the decline in importance of the Tokyo show. Once the host of Asia's biggest show, Japan has become less important even as China is getting bigger. In fact in 2009, at the peak of economic crisis, the Tokyo show was almost shelved after major global automakers pulled out.
Previously held in October in odd-numbered years, the Tokyo show has now moved to December and the organisers have relegated it to a smaller, though better, venue in Tokyo. "Many automakers have been diverting some or all of their funding from the Tokyo show to either Beijing or Shanghai," says Michelle Krebs, senior analyst at Edmunds.com, an online resource centre on automobiles.
India's auto shows aren't anywhere in the top league yet. But Tim Dunne, director, global automotive operations, JD Power says the country's stock is rising. The number of automakers in India, current sales and more importantly, the potential for growth makes the country interesting for global automakers. "We are now seeing more investment in auto shows in India and Brazil," says Krebs.
Chronologically, auto shows have a set pattern. The Frankfurt show, dominated by the Germans, happens in September. The Paris Show, which was actually the first auto show in the world when it began in 1898 but is now past its prime, is held in October. The LA show is scheduled for November followed by the Tokyo show in December. Detroit is the first auto show of the calendar year, and is still the most coveted. It is followed by Chicago in February, Geneva in March and New York around Easter. China show, held in Beijing and Shanghai in alternate years, has booked a slot in April.
New Pecking Order
The calendar reveals the pecking order: the Tier I shows come first: Frankfurt, Paris, Geneva, Detroit and China. Tokyo has dropped out of the top league. Shows in Bangkok, India and Brazil are on the rise but have not broken into the top five, at least for the media.
There is another ranking, this one among auto shows within the US. Detroit is the big winner, followed by New York, LA and Chicago. New York is supposed to attract maximum consumer traffic but experts say the show has gone downhill in recent years.
Is timing important? If you asked the organisers of Detroit, they'd say yes. (Out-of-town visitors though would claim Detroit in January is a dumb idea.) The show organisers insist on being first in the calendar year, says Krebs. Detroit and Los Angeles used to slug it out, LA wanted to be first and this meant the show was sometimes slotted close to New Year's. That didn't work well so they moved it to November in 2006. New York is content with its slot: it begins the spring selling season (big sales time for US dealers/companies) and is the last major show of the season, making it a front runner for big unveilings.
Over the years these shows have evolved their own distinct personalities, says Krebs. Frankfurt is the technical giant dominated by German carmakers. Geneva is the neutral zone where no one company dominates and hence sees wide participation. Tokyo has become more low-key and provincial, dominated by Japanese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Paris is dominated by the French. Los Angeles is a sort of "green" show. New York's agenda is to draw in a lot of attention from the media headquartered there.
But now, with many new shows gaining importance amid a flurry of launches across the year, the importance of being early in the list is waning. Also, OEMs increasingly use the shows to send a broader signal.
Strategy Tools
Traditionally, automakers considered these shows as nothing more than grand displays. But now, the choice of models and debut cars that make the list are part of company strategies that reveal their priorities. For instance, tomorrow at the Beijing show, Ford will unveil four new cars.
"We have never done this [so many unveilings in one go] before," says Craig von Essen, product communications director, Ford Motor. This signals Ford's strong ambitions in the region. It expects Asia-Africa to contribute 60-70% of Ford's global growth for the next few years. "China is the biggest car market in the world and this is a step towards firmly establishing Ford here," Essen says.
In the past, because display was the core of auto shows, pretty young models lounging inside plush interiors or posing alongside the sleek cars were the highlights of the pavilions. They still make newspaper front pages, but the approach is little different.
Automakers in the shows want customers to engage with the products, understand the technology and the environmental impact. "The attempt is to make the displays more interactive, showcase technology and explain the features of the vehicles and, through all this, establish the brand in a broader sense," says Essen. As a result, the models at the stalls are not just pretty faces. They are trained to talk to customers and answer product queries.
Over the years these shows have evolved their own distinct personalities, says Krebs. Frankfurt is the technical giant dominated by German carmakers. Geneva is the neutral zone where no one company dominates and hence sees wide participation. Tokyo has become more low-key and provincial, dominated by Japanese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Paris is dominated by the French. Los Angeles is a sort of "green" show. New York's agenda is to draw in a lot of attention from the media headquartered there.
But now, with many new shows gaining importance amid a flurry of launches across the year, the importance of being early in the list is waning. Also, OEMs increasingly use the shows to send a broader signal.
Strategy Tools
Traditionally, automakers considered these shows as nothing more than grand displays. But now, the choice of models and debut cars that make the list are part of company strategies that reveal their priorities. For instance, tomorrow at the Beijing show, Ford will unveil four new cars.
"We have never done this [so many unveilings in one go] before," says Craig von Essen, product communications director, Ford Motor. This signals Ford's strong ambitions in the region. It expects Asia-Africa to contribute 60-70% of Ford's global growth for the next few years. "China is the biggest car market in the world and this is a step towards firmly establishing Ford here," Essen says.
In the past, because display was the core of auto shows, pretty young models lounging inside plush interiors or posing alongside the sleek cars were the highlights of the pavilions. They still make newspaper front pages, but the approach is little different.
Automakers in the shows want customers to engage with the products, understand the technology and the environmental impact. "The attempt is to make the displays more interactive, showcase technology and explain the features of the vehicles and, through all this, establish the brand in a broader sense," says Essen. As a result, the models at the stalls are not just pretty faces. They are trained to talk to customers and answer product queries.
The cars that draw maximum gasps and questions from the audience are futuristic, concept cars, the stuff you'd expect to be in Batman's garage. Earlier companies loved flaunting them, designs you would never see on the road. But that's changing now. "Over time, fewer and fewer cars are pure fantasy driven. They have become more realistic," says Rebecca Lindland, auto analyst, IHS Global Insight.
Now the sexiest thing in new technology is green and small. Hybrids and electric vehicles are vying for attention as car companies showcase models with multiple fuel options. At the Detroit show, for example, Ford flaunted a redesigned Fusion sedan in gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.
Dodge, known for its big pickups, showcased the compact Dart. Not to be left behind, Audi pulled the covers off a bright Allroad wagon based on A4 and Hummer-famous GM had a smaller Buick Encore ready. The trend was followed in Geneva too where premium automakers showcased small cars, Audi had A3, Mercedes an A-class and Volvo a V40. Given rising fuel prices, environmental concerns and economic volatility smaller, power-packed feature-rich small cars are here to stay.
It's the Economy
But what's on display is not the only thing that makes an auto shows a hit. The economy plays a role too. If things are rough there, neither the customer nor the automaker is happy. The mood reflects in auto shows.
Off late, economic cycles have become sharper. And the financial health of OEMs is lot more volatile. Just in 2009, GM and Ford were struggling to keep afloat. These twists in fortune have a deep impact on the nature of auto shows.
Look no further than the history of Detroit to understand the economy effect. "In 2009-10, nobody was discussing new products. Everyone was talking about how best to survive the rough times," says Lindland. In two years, the good times rolled in again: there were 40-odd global debuts at the show in January this year.
The Moscow show has a similar story: in 2006, when the Russian economy was booming, GM chose the show to unveil its Chevrolet. Now, Moscow is almost off the auto show calendar. Just as Tokyo is barely hanging on as Japan's economy flounders.
The OEMs' financial health does have a bearing too. In 2009, many OEMs including Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Land Rover pulled out of the Detroit show.
In some cases it is a matter of choice and positioning. Nissan decided to give Detroit a miss for two years and participated in others like LA and New York shows. This year it returned to Detroit. Independent domestic Chinese OEMs like Geely Automotive too have been occasionally showing up at international shows like Detroit since 2006. "It is kind of wave which comes and goes. Turmoil in the company and the country reflects strongly," says Lindland.
There is only one place that seems immune to such fluctuations: Detroit. The big three of the region, Ford, GM and Chrysler, are past their prime and Detroit is struggling to retain its identity as an auto manufacturing hub. "But as far as the auto shows are concerned, Detroit still is the most coveted. Car manufacturers from across the world participate and so does the international media," says Lindland.
More Than Cars
One of the ways to make a big splash, in good and bad times, is to expand the agenda of auto shows. Convergence has long been the buzzword in technology. Cars have jumped on the band wagon. They are about mobility, communication, entertainment and many more things as in-car experience gains currency. For instance, Google is working on a modified Toyota Prius for an experiment on driverless cars. Bill Ford of Ford Motors recently showed up at Mobile World Congress.
All kinds of alliances are being forged. GM is tying up with LG Electronics for an electric car project. Intel is trying to diversify into the auto sector by supplying Nissan with chips. Microsoft is among other technology companies which will be present at the Beijing show.
Not surprisingly, companies are also using lot of technology in their stalls to impress visitors. Ford will allow its audience to take control of the all-new Ford EcoSport virtually.
Using a sensing camera, the crowd will collectively be able to control the compact SUV as it drives along the road and unlocks information at each bend. Photos from this event will be taken during each game and then uploaded to a Facebook gallery.
Automakers want customers to do more and spread the word. So that people are still at the shows, talking about it after curtains are down on the show.
More Than Cars
One of the ways to make a big splash, in good and bad times, is to expand the agenda of auto shows. Convergence has long been the buzzword in technology. Cars have jumped on the band wagon. They are about mobility, communication, entertainment and many more things as in-car experience gains currency. For instance, Google is working on a modified Toyota Prius for an experiment on driverless cars. Bill Ford of Ford Motors recently showed up at Mobile World Congress.
All kinds of alliances are being forged. GM is tying up with LG Electronics for an electric car project. Intel is trying to diversify into the auto sector by supplying Nissan with chips. Microsoft is among other technology companies which will be present at the Beijing show.
Not surprisingly, companies are also using lot of technology in their stalls to impress visitors. Ford will allow its audience to take control of the all-new Ford EcoSport virtually.
Using a sensing camera, the crowd will collectively be able to control the compact SUV as it drives along the road and unlocks information at each bend. Photos from this event will be taken during each game and then uploaded to a Facebook gallery.
Automakers want customers to do more and spread the word. So that people are still at the shows, talking about it after curtains are down on the show.
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