What does Veeky Forums think of auto shows?

Ever worked one? Favorite show to attend?

I used to attend the MotorTrend auto shows when I was younger. Kinda lost interest as I reached my 20s.

I just like to look at hot grills standing next to cool cars. Pics from even are enough for me.

I go to the Detroit show once every 4-5 years, went yearly with my father as a kid but the show doesn't change much year-to-year since models are mostly the same.

One time I went and got so sick that I had to go to the hospital.

If you're in the US, NAIAS in Detroit is the biggest one. NY and LA shows are the second biggest in terms of announcements and new reveals. Chicago is the best of the rest. SEMA in Vegas is also worth attending although it's more geared to aftermarket.

Local auto expos can still be pretty cool since a lot of the major manufacturers take their concepts and show floor vehicles/props on the road and try to hit as many of them as they can.


As for tips in going to these shows:
1) Go early if you can especially for the bigger shows. Parking and get around on the show floor is easier.
2) Don't pay money or buy a shirt to get up close to run-of-the-mill Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc. They're tourist traps.
3) Eat drink before hand before paying for overpriced shitty concession stand foods.

Most car companies now hire "product specialists" which are kind reasonably good looking, presentable, girls that are smart enough to memorize the facts of each car and walk someone through the features.

Still see some dumb hot whores but it's rarer than it used to be.

Ever had any luck getting their numbers or otherwise asking them out? I know they travel a lot, but something about them always gets me going. Maybe its just being around all the shiny new cars and bright lighting.

I usually go to TunerEvolution and maybe Wekfest if it's around the same week.

I'm a regular at Frankfurt Motor Show every two years and have been to Paris Motor Show a few times.
To me the former is just to stay up to date and the latter is just an excuse to go to Paris.

That's not how it works user.

That's kinda what bothers me about these people.
They're able to show you the hidden button to change the colour on the dashboard lights or tell you how long it takes to charge the battery on their electric car, but dig a bit deeper and all you get is a vacant smile and an offer to send you a brochure.

They're fun to troll though.

I know, but I want it to.

I go to the Chicago auto show with my grandfather as tradition. I usually end up more distracted by the QTs working there or the QT spectators. I'm amazed at how dressed up some women get just to go to something simple like a car show.

That's universally true of anyone staffing a fucking booth. Anyone that knows anything in any reasonably large company is going to be kept working on new products as much as possible. Engineers are expensive as shit to keep around and no one is going to be okay with letting them sit at a booth jerking off for a work week.

That's true. I knew a theater kid who got a job as a product specialist. Never even got his driver's license but had good memorization and recall so he could answer predetermined questions like he knew what he was talking about.

just started a job for a wheel company i'll be working a show soon.

>we're discussing models
>gonna get some big name models
>1000/day
>marketing manager goes wtf
>what else we get with that, slysmile.jpg
>i pipe in and say, no hire until the anonGM is satisfied
>we all chuckle

Actually yes. I got ones number and asked her out, then she bailed the day before the date. I generally don't ask them out though.

As far as them travelling. A lot of them have multiple jobs. A few are flight attendants, a few work for PR companies and do events. We had one girl that was a porno girl even (she recently moved to Vegas to go full time into the porn industry)

Yeah, I'm an engineer and train product specialists every year for one of our larger trade showers. Some of them are surprisingly good, like they really do know it better than a lot of the dealers do. Also a lot of them work for the same company at multiple shows so they actually have 5-10 years sometimes of experience doing that same manufacturer. Sure they have a limit, and some are not very good at all, but if you get a good one they know their shit.

I hate everything related to the static display of vehicles

>I'm amazed at how dressed up some women get just to go to something simple like a car show.

Why not? I do this. You get noticed more and get treated better by the booth personnel (get their attention easier and they're less anxious to end their interaction with you). The downside is that other guests tend to mistake you as booth personnel as well. Even got a compliment from a cutie outside of expo building once.

You can dress nice without looking like you are working the show.

Since I live around LA, I go to the LA Auto show ever once in awhile (preferrably ever 2-4 years for new models and what not).

Its pretty neat because you get to see various types of vehicles all in one place without having to go miles to another dealership. You can see upcoming cars and possibly get in them to see the interior in person.

But the best part of the auto show is that you get to sit in cars you probably would never be able to.

I bet you're one of those plebs that has to finger fuck every car you walk up to

I dont see the point especially if you have to pay to get in

see cars

Most are pretty cheap, too. Even the big shows are a pretty good value.

I have the internet I can use various search engines social media and Youtube

You can't smell them

why would I want to

I've went to chicago auto show for the last few years and the first time was the best time because a lot of the manufacturers had heritage displays with stuff like a 2000gt, 33 stradale, old 30's race cars and shit etc, but the last time I went the overall setup of the displays was very poor, couldn't get good pictures for shit because all the roping and all that was way too close to the cars

I'd give it a 6/10, I'd prefer to go to a large car meet every year

I find a lot of cars don't look the same in pictures as they do in person. Also great way to compare cars, especially ones in the same line.

also it's a show mostly for new stock production cars and I'm not particularly interested in new cars

>why would I want to

Do you not like the way new cars smell?

>I dont see the point

-You get the see the cars in person
-You get to touch, sit in, or even drive some cars without having to go to 15 different dealerships
-You can gain some swag from the booths that give them to you
-You have an excuse to hang out in a public space instead of sitting in front of your computer all day

no

I prefer that old car interior thats been saturated with air freshner for the past 30 years or the smell of gasoline

>-You get the see the cars in person

dont care

>-You get to touch, sit in, or even drive some cars without having to go to 15 different dealerships

dont really care about this either

>-You can gain some swag from the booths that give them to you

as long as its free sure great Im not wearing car company merch though

>-You have an excuse to hang out in a public space instead of sitting in front of your computer all day

I just go to concerts for this

This will never beat new car smell

The girls aren't as attractive anymore. I was at the Detroit Auto show yesterday and the women were mostly meh. Mercedes and FCA had hotties though.

>Detroit
I mean most will be mixed or black so it's not a surprise. This is why we need a car show with 2D women

Generally the product specialists aren't local.

>implying that makes a difference

They dont just grab any girl off the street. 80% of the women were white, just not super hot model types like they used to be.

Yeah that's because see: What the car companies found is business wise it's better to get semi-intelligent normal but presentable looking women rather than the car skanks they used to use

>>implying that makes a difference

It absolutely does. You have to be articulate, able to memorize lines and deal with the general public without losing your temper.

>They dont just grab any girl off the street. 80% of the women were white, just not super hot model types like they used to be.

80% are white because most sheboons can't do the job without constantly being on their phone, taking breaks, and reeking of menthols

Yeah, besides being able to learn about the cars, they have to be pleasant enough to handle the people trolling them and the many sweaty rude dickheads that will be making rude comments at them.

I watch the better product specialists handle the condescending males that starting quizzing them to see if they will screw up really well. First off it's harder to trip up the good ones than the pleb often thinks, and second if they don't know the answer to something and the person seems like a legit interested customer then they are trained to get someone who will.

Also because it's shit marketing to think that putting a model next to a car makes it more appealing. If your brand wants to project class and taste you can't have a bunch of scantily clad girls that know nothing about the product representing your company.

Yeah.

Another real value of the product specialists and why they are used is because they answer all the common questions that the manufacturing and dealer staff would otherwise have to answer. They are used to make the brand look attentive to the crowd, while separating the plebs from the real customers. Even if someone has zero chance of buying any of your cars, you still want them to feel like they communicated with someone when they reach your booth. A product specialist costs about 750 bucks per day, plus their travel and certain expenses, but in the scheme of what it costs to put on a show that's not a whole lot. Plus if you have one you still have to train them, so you might as well have a bunch since there is cost in training.

Because car show girls are the lowest tier of models.. They arent even models really. Just a glorified sales girl in skimpy clothes. In the 90s and early 00s car commercialized shows were booming in popularity and companies were willing to spend good money to show off their products with a super qt model. The girls were also keen about it because good marketing for themselves or whatever. Also most guys dont really care about show girls these days.

Its like hooters in the 80s and 90s vs hooters now

Goint to Montreal auto show in 1-2 week. Since i'm a kid i've never missed a year.

Last year the star of the show was a Pagani Huayra(well, two of them were there), and how it looks this year there should be a Koenigsegg Agera there.

The car shows obviously aren't for you and you shouldn't go.

I think it's a mixed bag.

Pic related is a GM product specialist.

It's kind of undeniable that product specialists tend to be attractive, but these days it projects a better image to have them in a well fitted suit because it looks more professional.

>Its like hooters in the 80s and 90s vs hooters now

Is it different now? Haven't been to one in like 10 years because the food was shitty.

delete this

It's true, though.

The wings are passable, but you can get them just about anywhere else. The rest of the menu is crap.

Veeky Forums out.

Currently working with a supplier in Japan and had a chance to work at our booth at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show (held every 2 years).

ATTENDING
If any of you guys are travelling to Japan to see auto shows, etc....

TOKYO MOTOR SHOW ridiculously packed (comparing to NAIAS) and it will take a long ass time to get within viewing distance of the popular cars. I was lucky enough to work on a half press/public day so I had stuff like the Rotary concept to myself but...once people pour in, it feels like more trouble than it's worth. I'd almost say, "just read about it online" but there's a lot of stuff that isn't covered by US automotive blogs that attend TMS (Funky JDM only cars, some Euro cars that we don't get, etc.).

TOKYO AUTO SALON
As you may know is Japan's SEMA. I am heading there in a few hours and go every year. This one is lots of fun. Excellent place to see most of what the JP tuning scene has to offer. Tons of crazy 'only in Japan' stuff, staff is tons of fun (i.e. Chat with Kato from Liberty Walk) and the girls are much, much, much better. Plus you can buy tons of neat stuff and all those JDM parts. If you're travelling with someone who doesn't care for cars, chances are they'd enjoy this one more too. Highly recommended.

I remember going to the LA autoshow back in 2015 and alfa had all their classic race cars there and their DTM car.

Pretty hektik

I used to work at the event center and used to go late at night. It's nice having all million square feet to yourself and not having autists taking selfies everywhere.

WORKING
This is fun and a good opportunity to learn stuff.

Our booth had:
2 Corporate Comms. staff
2 Admin staff
1 Engineer
2 Booth girls 'companions' in Japanese

Basically get to sperg out with everyone that comes by and most of the time they're actually down to listen to your shit.

On top of press,and enthusiasts, attendees included:
Otaku (they outsperg you but your job is to keep them entertained even after 10 mins into thr convo)
Retirees-to-be who are car shopping (nice people)
Arrogant rich guys (act like they own the place, boast about their different porsches and how your product sucks even though it is actually OEM equipment on saod Porsches...)
Competitors doing research
(This one's easy to tell and its funny cuz both sides know whats going on but we dont explicitly say it)

Booth girls at TMS are generally reserved, don't get much training other than "direct to staff and smile and hand out brochure) but one nice perk was chatting/flirting with them during slow times and they're impressed that you seem to know your shit and speak English, etc. Got phone numbers, etc.

Photo dump from Tokyo Auto Salon 2016 to follow

Sorry images are low rez, cant get them off of google photos for some reason

This one was popular with auto blogs. Have actually seen a few of these on the road ( the car)

Their lab coats made it even better

Anyone here likes itasha?

Audio/Visual cars were fun to see

Modified kei cars.
You see girls in costume/cosplay and race queen outfits pretty often at TAS

Kawaii Mazda girls were refreshing

Honda S660 by Blitz

Dirty zeek scum.

Uguuuuuuuu

If anyone understands the references behind this, pls tell me

Also got pics of Hakosuka and other oldies

...

:3

...

Poor girl kept getting called out by an otaku who couldn't hold in his spaghetti so they called her in for a break lol

Last one!

Just out of curiosity, fampai, what is it you do for a living? Thanks for the photo dump BTW, if I may ask, can we get more pics about parts and stuff to sperg out rather than whole cars?

She can specialize my product if you know what I mean.

Currently working at a Japanese-based brake manufacturer. Majority of our business is OEM. Started off as an intern in an admin. dept and am currently doing production planning.

Was a business major in university back home (Canada), took Japanese as a minor for shits, enjoyed it and did exchange for a year in Kyoto....then decided to try working in automotive in Japan.

Sorry I don't have any pics of parts atm but I'll take a bunch at the Tokyo Auto Salon today. If you guys are interested, tell me what kinda parts, brands, etc specifically you'd like pics of and I can try to dump them off here or make a thread in the next day or three.

Pic related, my dd for my commute

Fuck dude, living the weeb dream! I got special interest in the Toppu Shicret, the GReddy, Blitz and RE Memeniya booths. Anything SuperGT is a bonus too.

Since you're already in the business, I'm really curious about some stuff I'd like to ask ya since I also want to work with cars but have no interest in going the engineering route. Say, do companies like yours work often with translators? Is knowing about cars in addition to knowing different languages a plus in that context? I'm fluent in both english and spanish, currently learning german and considering japanese for a fourth language. My uni title likely won't help me for shit so my best bet are my language skills and my knowledge of cars.

>
Sure,I'll get some pics from those booths

> Say, do companies like yours work often with translators?
Surprisingly, not so often. Outsourcing translations is extremely expensive so most companies leave that to stuff like publications, auto show presentations, shareholder documents, etc. rather than daily operations.

>Is knowing about cars in addition to knowing different languages a plus in that context?
In my experience having language skills, a passion for cars AND another skill is a more useful combination. Knowledge of cars in corporate auto. often means going into extremely technical stuff in anither language that is almost never taught in the classroom.

> I'm fluent in both english and spanish, currently learning german and considering japanese for a fourth language. My uni title likely won't help me.
My best advice is to look at automotive job postings and see what they're looking for.

It may be too late to add another major but you can consider doing short term certificate programs (i.e. continued studies courses) in something in high demand like:
Program Management
Supply-chain related
Manufacturing related


Finally, to take advantage of the language skills you have and assuming you live in the US/Canada, look for a manufacturer that has operations locally...but is based in, say, Germany.

For example, Robert Bosch has operations in the US and Mexico but they are always looking for a local who can speak German to communicate with HQ. (This stands true for their hiring in Japan too)

Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask in more detail. I'll check every now and then.

I'll pipe in here as I did a 6 month engineering expat in japan working for a turbo company. (US company with an office in Japan). We didn't have any translators but most people in the office could at least read/write emails in english. I'd say half could speak it too. I spoke 0 Japanese but the little i picked up while i was there helped exponentially. Having multiple languages is always an asset so be sure to flaunt it whenever you interview anywhere. This guy has great advice, look for foreign companies that have offices here, or like in my case, the other way around.

Question to you - what are your work hours like? Our japan office was 9-9 every day, and usually i was one of the first few to leave. I loved Japan but I will never go back to work there again. Does your office operate the same? Do you get different treatment for not being Japanese?

Pic related, my steed for 6 months.

In an effort not derail this thread any more here's a pic of mine from the Tokyo Auto Salon last year.

Thanks in advance for the pics, those brands have always been interesting for me!

Also thanks for taking the time to answer my more serious questions. I'm not from US/Canada but from Cocaineland in south america, so our educational system works different in terms of how degrees are given. I won't say what degree I'm pursuing, almost done with it atm, because I'll surely get laughs (hint: it's a human science) but I like the suggestion of looking for other continued studies courses in something like management/human resources or whatever. I wonder, what's the weirdest position you've known of in an automotive company? What kind of degrees besides engineering are employed in the industry?

BTW, if this thread sinks you should consider making a thread about TAS only. Shillhunters coverage isn't bad but it's just so fucking normie.

>swagmachine
I'm glad scion is dead

I was at the Texas State Fair on a school field trip in 08, iirc.

Big car show there.

It was right when the new Challengers dropped.

I spent nearly the whole day there climbing in cars, playing the radios, ect.

Probably the most fun I've had at one.