Though Chrysler insists that its iconic Dodge Viper will eventually return, the reality of the auto industry particularly Chrysler’s place in the market is that the Viper as we know it is going, going, gone. After all, with Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo comprising the sporty side of the Fiat-Chrysler house, there may not be enough room or cash for an all-new Viper.
Final Build
The last few Vipers are now being completed at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, but with a twist: Chrysler is giving owners a lot of say about how these final edition Vipers will look as they make their way off the factory floor and slither out the door.
These “ultimate factory” customized 2010 Dodge Viper coupes were shown to more than 400 Viper enthusiasts in Detroit on July 1 as part of Chrysler’s send off for the sportscar. At the send off, Chrysler featured D’ann Rauh’s all-new Viper which featured a custom bronzed gold exterior paint scheme. Rauh and her husband, Wayne, are the owners of a collection of 40 Vipers, the world’s largest assembly of the Viper in private hands.
Hand Crafted
Though Chrysler has been building special edition Vipers since the car launched in 1992, the automaker says that they have built more special edition models during the 2010 model year than all the previous years combined.
Never a huge seller, Chrysler has built some 26,000 of the hand-crafted Vipers over its lifetime. The car served its purpose well as it gave Dodge a much needed halo model while helping the brand distinguish itself from Plymouth and Chrysler.
Two Remain
With the Viper out of the way, Chevrolet’s Corvette and special edition of Ford’s Mustang will serve as the last of the American built supercars. Always a small market, these models are prized for their raw power, good looks and rarity, collectable models at that.
I suggest that the people who run the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit hire musician Eddy Grant to launch next year’s show what with the “Electric Avenue” feature making its debut there in January.
Grant, whose “Electric Avenue” hit charted near the top of the US and UK charts in 1983 would probably get a kick out of opening the show. Or at least give people a reason to show up in Detroit in the middle of a cold winter.
Electric Avenue
The NAIAS describes Electric Avenue as being a 37,000 square foot feature located on the first floor of the Cobo Center. That showcase will shine the spotlight on electric vehicles and technology offered by the traditional automakers and innovative producers.
“Electric Avenue is going to be a unique feature of the 2010 NAIAS that will enable us to educate a diverse audience about the long-term viability of the auto industry using a subject that is top of mind globally these days,” said NAIAS Chairman Doug Fox. “Each year our show strives to provide an innovative approach to providing excitement. As one of the primary stops on the global show circuit we are able to draw key media and help exhibitors tell the short- and long-term strategies to a passionate audience of consumers and industry leaders.”
20 Vehicles
The NAIAS says that they have twenty vehicles which will be featured on Electric Avenue. Adjacent to the main stage, the auto show will offer symposiums and seminars related to vehicle electrification. No word whether that means that automakers will only feature their electric cars on Electric Avenue or whether they’ll reserve space within their own display areas to show off the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi i-MEV and other products.
The NAIAS itself is experiencing a bit of a renaissance thanks to the decision of Detroit area and state politicians to pour money into the decaying Cobo Center. That facility has long been the home of what was originally known as the Detroit Auto Show, but it hasn’t been able to keep up the times.
The monies being directed to the Cobo Center will expand and update the facility, a move which will allow it to continue hosting the NAIAS for years to come. Without the financial injection, the people running the NAIAS were prepared to leave Detroit, perhaps the entire Motown region, and set up their shop elsewhere.
Arguably the most important automotive show based in the U.S., the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) has been a strong contributor the Detroit economy, a show that will benefit in the coming years as its venue, the Cobo Center is updated and expanded.
Making The Move To Mondays
Oddly, the press days for the show have been held on Sundays and Mondays, which means that reporters must get their news out when most people simply aren’t listening. Many Americans attend church services on Sunday followed by NFL playoff tilts in the afternoon and evening. That sort of competition for the hearts and minds of consumers has resulted in the NAIAS moving the press days to begin on a Monday instead.
To be sure, the first of the two press days is by far the most important with some 25-30 manufacturers getting their news out there on that day. The second press day has a handful of lesser announcements with most of that day dedicated to allowing journalists to follow up on what they first reported the day before.
The Top Event For The USA & Canada
“The NAIAS is the premiere auto showcase for the US market,” said Dr. Kunibert Schmidt of the German Associations of Automotive Industry (VDA – Verband der Automobilindustrie). “The show’s recent decision to refine the press conference schedule is the perfect example of finding efficiencies in our industry as well as strengthening the professionalism the NAIAS exhibits to the world.”
“There is no better voice than that of the customer,” said NAIAS Executive Director, Rod Alberts. “The volume of media we serve internationally and the exhibitors who rely on them make this show one of the world’s top draws. We continue to listen to our audiences and by responding to their needs, NAIAS maintains its standing as one of the top international auto shows in the world.”
Industry Days & Charity Preview
The 2010 press days will be January 11-12 followed by industry preview on January 13-14. As usual, the charity preview will follow and is scheduled for January 15th. The public show will run from January 16-24th.
The 2010 event will mark the 22nd year that the show has been recognized by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. Prior to 1989 the event was known as the Detroit Auto Show.
Auto News | Matt Keegan, 2 Jul 10 | 
Comments (1) 
Grant, whose “Electric Avenue” hit charted near the top of the US and UK charts in 1983 would probably get a kick out of opening the show. Or at least give people a reason to show up in Detroit in the middle of a cold winter.
