Consumers find positives at car show; book-signing a blur
“It certainly was a positive outcome, for our exhibitors, manufacturers, ride-and-drive hosts, and even consumers had objectively better things to say about this year’s show over last year’s,” said Matthew Groves of the just-completed Denver Auto Show at the Colorado Convention Center. He is CEO of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association. A highlight for me was to be a 2-hour book-signing opportunity Thursday afternoon inside the convention center’s large hall.
Five minutes into my time slot at the back of the hall beside the Forney Auto Museum display, friends Angelia Mcgowan and
Mia Voss from Rocky Mountain Automotive Press stopped by. Each bought a book, signed, and I sat down to listen to another friend explain his love for the Mazda Miata. I became light-headed, my vision blurred, colorful lights flashed before my eyes and I spoke to Jan beside me, “I feel like I’m going to pass out.” I came to 10 minutes later on my back on the floor of the convention center, being attended by EMT Andrew Gitin.
Jan accompanied a medic and me to St. Joseph’s Hospital emergency area; filling in for my absence at our table were Kristin Battenfield of Kbat Communications, Bill and Kathy Allen, Dale Wells, and my niece, Jana Lock, who drove from Sterling to help our team.
I missed the annual Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame dinner that night, too. Late that night, as Jan and I rested in a hotel room, I was provided a photo of the event by Tim Jackson, former head of the CADA. Then, I misspelled Chris Bianchi’s name in the caption. I’m a follower of Bianchi’s weather reports for 9News.
I was on hand way back in 1978, when Bill Barrow of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association resurrected the auto show for Denver, and I’ve attended many of them since. I’ve been to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit six times, including 2003 when Jay Leno of “Tonight Show” and a super auto enthusiast received the first ‘04 Maybach and 2013 for unveiling of the 2014 Corvette.
But this year’s book-signing, HOF dinner and extended coverage of the show by me weren’t to be. I apologize, while thanking those who filled in for me.
Brownlee interviewed by CBT at NY show
“Transportation should not be politicized,” said Anthony Brownlee, owner of Brownlee Automotive in Castle Rock, during a recent interview with CBT News anchor Jim Fitzpatrick at the New York Auto Show. “It shouldn’t be red or blue.”
Brownlee, whose dealership group operates Chevrolet, GMC and Toyota stores in Powell, Wyo., and a Honda store in Sheridan, Wyo., several months ago was named chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Association representing 9,416 dealers.
“Consumer choice, especially regarding the transition to electric vehicles, is important,” said Brownlee. “There is a sense of optimism in the automotive industry, with low unemployment and enthusiastic buyers.”