Toyota at the 2008 New York Auto Show
Toyota has prime spots at the New York Auto Show for their cars (and Scion); the Scion exhibit with the huge wallstand of cars is right at the front entrance, before the main show floor. Toyota stands prominently near one of the main entrances on the third floor, which is the main floor of the show. For trucks, though, Toyota is all the way on the side wall on the lower floor (where the trucks congregate), in its traditional place. Lexus SUVs are just behind Toyota trucks. Upstairs, Lexus cars take up the far wall.
Toyota's exhibit is, like most others, designedto be heavier on flash than information. The Toyota car exhibit on the main floor had a good number of attractions, and was crowded with members of the press throughout the show. It remains the star attraction in hybrid technology- though I was very disappointed by the absence of the A-BAT, the PHEV (Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) Prius, the Toyota X and the Toyota 1/X. Heavily featured in the Toyota display was the FCHV (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle), the hydrogen cell hybrid built on a modified 2007 Highlander frame.
I was pleased to see the Toyota Venza displayed. Toyota's crossover will finally reach dealerships late in 2008 as an early 2009 model.
The Toyota truck display on the lower level featured the Tundra Crewmax, including a full size cutaway of the Tundra that showed off its design, durability, comfort and safety. Also featured was the Urban Runner, which Toyota hopes will open a new demographic to the SUV market.
Scion made the most noise at the show, with its flashy location, hip demographics and of course its Hako. The Hako concept car made its worldwide debut at the NYIAS, just as Scion itself did once upon a time.
About the Javits Center
The Javits Center is a big ramshackle structure, with a roof that's far too high, making the center cold and drafty; the roof leaks, and the bathrooms are, not surprisingly, fairly dirty. Navigation signs are few and assume you've already been there, and outside entrances aren't especially convenient (nor is parking, unless you like paying the Show Surcharge). The Javits Center is hardly what one would expect of a city like New York in terms of size or polish; the average subway station was created with much more care and is in better shape, and, by the way, is on a subway line, unlike the Javits Center. Architecturally, it resembles a sci-fi set from a post-Apocalyptic future. That is, cold, barren and harsh. Even with the large number of windows, the Javits Center is still, somehow, dark and gloomy. It feels like you're underground- probably to make up for the fact that there is not a subway nearby.
