Mario James, Gleaner Writer
The all conquering BMW M3 V8 coupe. 420 rompin' stompin horses and a standard transmission. Fun to drive defined
If you didn't strap on your kids and significant other to the hupmobile and take them to what is probably the greatest, best-run auto show in JA, then you really, really missed something. No self-respecting car guy/gal should have missed this one. It promised much, and it delivered.
Highlights were too many to mention. Outside, Chinese vehicles were well represented, motorcycles and buses rounding out the car contingent. There was a Coaster clone priced at a whopping 50 per cent under the real thing (Nissan six-cylinder engine included), huge Chinese buses with 747 style interiors and faux wood trim, no Yamaha bikes, but the Loncin brand was in full effect. And the line of Chinese pickups had to be seen to be believed.
These Orientals are xeroxing everything from Rangers to Hiluxes (or is that Hiluxae?) and hawking them at half price. Von's, who came loaded for bear, are the dealers for the Golden Dragon buses and they displayed to patrons what the communists are doing with their massive, cheap labour force. Vehicles and supplies were on hand also, displaying their ChangFeng Yangzi products, as well as their traditional Isuzu pickups, vans and trucks.
new Golf GTi
The National Arena blazed with metallic colours and lights coupled with spectacle and sound; To-Isis helped launch the new Golf GTi, which was also started during the show; patrons took turns looking at and sitting in this most exquisite piece of Germanic engineering. Folks were allowed to run the engine to redline while cameras flashed and people oohed and
aahed. KIG showed off its new Ford Mondeo, while on Friday Andre Hylton, Shelly-Ann Mclaggen and Natasha Chang wooed automotive royalty on radio, interviewing everyone in sight.
Best layout and best-looking booth downstairs had to go to the Stewart's consortium. They utilised the space wonderfully and had tasteful appointments, from parquet flooring to low-key lights that set off the display just so, and they brought the Car Of The Show, the latest BMW M3. This little cornucopia of Teutonic engineering has innards that produce a whopping 420 horses and is equipped with a standard gearbox. Purists wouldn't have it any other way. Nissan employed a 'less is more' philosophy, bringing only its Bluebird Sylphy and the New X-trail. Space is important, promoters. Folks need to be able to walk around the cars, so sit up and take notes ... GM Challenger attracted huge hordes with its new Tahoe sitting on 24-inch wheels. They eventually had to lock the car on Sunday, the crowds were so intense! Newline Motors brought a 'Type R' Chery QQ with ducted blacked out bonnet and fire engine red pain scheme; it was the least expensive car at the show. They also brought the rest of the Chery line-up, but what brought the house down were the Chery girls! Three lithe nymphets dressed up in the same colour as the QQ strutted their stuff around the cars; they were the talk of the town. Hey, girls and cars are a match made in heaven. So sue me.
silver and red livery
The Audi TT convertible also came courtesy of the Issa Transport Group, resplendent in silver and red livery. Also present was the Audi Q7 and the most expensive car at the show, at $24 million, a superbly decked out Mercedes 'S' class.
Automotives thought we'd pick a fight when we saw Bobby Marshall (Mitsubishi hot shoe) talking to some BMW personnel. We fibbed and told them that Duncan (Stewart) made light of the new Evolution X (slated for arrival to these shores shortly). We said he said that his M3 would make corn syrup out of their little four banger (he didn't actually say that). The row that ensued was the stuff of legend; Bobby wasn't having it! And he was very colourful. This situation only calmed down when Kent Lacroix discreetly chucked us out of the KIG booth. People, it got rowdy, and almost became a bar room brawl. Teeth were bared and sleeves were beginning to ascend. A real Andy Capp moment. Great fun!!
Upstairs, best-looking booths belonged to the banks (hey, they're literally made of money!) with the Scotiabank cubicle taking the blue ribbon. But the rest of the automotive industry was well represented, from Tropical Battery to the Jamaican Automotive Association, whose walking, breathing crash test dummy was a great hit with the kids (pun not intended). Tyre Warehouse, B.D. Gregg and Sons; the booths ran the gamut. Interestingly enough, a model car booth was set up by a company called Prestige Model Cars, for the kid that's in every man. I now know what I want for Christmas (Dear, can I get that Cadzilla over dere in di corna? Puleeze?)
All in all, a great time was had by all, and it is a family event! Automotives' only problem is that it is a biannual happening. Uncle Kent, why do we have to wait two years for the next one?
Automobile Dealers Association car show held at the Arena on November 23-25, 2007.
Andre Hylton (left) chatting with Howard Foster, marketing manager of Toyota Jamaica, during the Power 106 broadcast, while in the new Land Cruiser at the Automobile Dealers Association car show held at the National Arena November 23-25.- photos by Mario James
The group To-Isis provided a musical feast for patrons.
