bad news regarding Chicago Auto Show

I was just at Lake Forest Sports Cars today... Ferrari will NOT be at the auto show this year. They apparently feel that they sell all their cars anyways, why spend the money. After much pressure from the local dealers, Maserati will be there. Aston Martin probably will not be there either... rumor has it that they are about to be sold, so Ford does not want to pony up the $$$ to put up a big display for sales they will not realize.
With Lambo not there (last year), not even the Shell Oil "Exotic" display (last year), seems like our world class show is becoming less and less "world class". I'm not in the market for an SUV or truck, which is what most of the show is anyways.
What a drag.

 

I'm not surprised, when I was at the stand last year I was speaking with Tyler from LFSC who mentioned that Ferrari doesn't even need the stand there, the only reason they do it is for the kids. Thank God I'm going this weekend to NAIAS!

 

Its okay for me since I already saw Ferrari's at NAIAS.

I'm still going to Chicago Auto Show though.

 

Ditto. Chicago Auto Show used to be a big thing when I was a kid (though I still kind of am.. ), but now I travel to NAIAS and the Concours in Pebble..both much better..

 

Its my first time in NAIAS and it is incredible. I find it way better than Chicago Auto Show.

 

You have any pics online of it?

 

No man.. sorry. We used a disposable camera because I forgot to bring the digital camera. I was really excited to take lots of pictures and share them to you guys online but then something unexpected happen, I left it at home. That's the first thing on the list I would bring to Chicago Auto Show.

 

That's a real bummer.

 

Yeah, really. Oh well... We'll still go. As I said, haven't missed one since 1970. I'd like to get some more info. on that new Dodge Challenger. And, there is supposed to be a Corvette SS, (Super Sport) coming out sometime in the near future that is supposed to be unreal! There has never been a Corvette in the SS-Super Sport line at Chevrolet.....This will be a first.

 

Ok I give. What does NAIAS stand for? I didn't have my coffee yet. I'm assuming it has to do with the Detroit show. Hey Andreas I thought you were planning on going. I never heard back from you. Ok for those who are disappointed in not seeing Ferrari at the Chicago show I'll have some nice shots from FL in two weeks for your fix.

 

Rick,
It is North American International Auto Show.

George

 

You're going to Cavallino, Palm Beach Supercar Weekend, or both??

 

I agree that NAIAS is a much neater show. While it doesn't have the square footage or attendance of the Chicago show, everything else is better...the displays, the lighting, the layout, the variety. But you have to remember that Detroit really shines as more of a press/industry show, while the Chicago is happy tho call themselves a consumer show.

I did hear too at NAIAS that Ferrari was skipping Chicago.

For this year's Chicago show, we will be bringing 3 Lambos for our own Lamborghini Chicago display. Be sure to stop by and visit us!!

 

Will you have hot models like NAIAS?

 

I did send you a PM, but maybe it got lost in the big FChat crash.

Anyhow, I won't go to this year's Chicago car show. No Ferraris, no point in doing that.

 

Very disappointing that Ferrari chose not to come this year. But hey, if they want to have that kind of a crappy attitude, who needs 'em! (Collective GASP!!!) Apparently, they feel as though they have enough people that support them already, so they don't need the lowly general public anymore. And especially with the tame/lame looking cars that they've come out with the past 8 years....Boo on them!

That's O.K. by me. Plenty of other great cars there to see. Many, like the Dodge Viper, Ford GT and Chevy Corvette-all world class cars that would blow away a new Ferrari.....at anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 the price! And with much better build quality, looks, servicability and dependablity to boot!

Oh well...no big deal, really...Life goes on!...

 

You sound bitter,
I doubt any of the above mentioned cars can come even close to 599 in not only refinement,finish and quality but in any performance category you choose......

 

Agreed. I'm also surprised that they don't look at the potential of tapping into the amazement of little kids. Granted, we live in a different world nowadays. But I remember how my pulse used to race running up to the Ferrari display back in the 70's and seeing the 308 that close up. That, and getting Walter Payton's autograph

 

You sound exactly like me. I never asked for Payton's autograph, but I did meet him and talk to him a couple of times. We were both in a training room together on two occassions.

 

I don't think that a Viper or Ford GT could even approach a 430 in terms of build quality. They would be lucky to have the reliability of a 430 (how many recalls has the Ford GT had?)

 

Gonna change your "handle" again???
Did you sell the 348?
I agree... lots of other cars out there. Besides, the new ones are just plain unobtainable for me (kids, house, etc...), but dreams are great motivators!

 

Cool!
Are you going to be at the First Look?

 

Spot on!

I'm surprised how short term the thinking by Ferrari is. True they got their books full of orders for the current lineup, but the customers of the year 2027 are being groomed right now.

I remember the Ferrari posters that covered my bedroom as I grew up. It took me a while to realize the dream, but hey.

Hopefully our two local dealerships think about an alternate event to the Chicago car show: How about a little reception party or something for the local enthusiasts?

I also agree with Frank's comments regarding design: Of the modern Ferraris only the Enzo really meets the supercar shape. Everything else is too much middle of the road watered down to appeal to doctors and lawyers. The Spykers (see other thread) look at lot fresher and edgy as a true exotic should be. Just like a Gallardo or Murcie is a lot more exciting visually than a 430 or 599. No, I haven't gone to the dark side, but I can still recognize a true supercar when I see one.

 

Yes, and maybe this year we won't miss meeting each other at the display like a few years ago!!

 

Come on over to the dark side Andreas, you know you want to!

You'll have to stop by the new Lambo store after we open. And you can still get your Ferrari fix as we will have some of those upstairs.