New York, US - 17 April 2019
1. Pan left of Mercedes unveiling 2020 Mercedes EQC at the 2019 New York International Auto Show
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:
"We're seeing auto shows fall out of favor with a lot of automakers. It's seen kind of as old school pulling the sheet off of the car and a lot of automakers now are moving towards launches on social media or big events like fashion shows that are integrated with the cars. A way to capture not only the media's attention, but also the average consumer as well."
3. Wide of 2020 Subaru Outback
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:
"SUVs continue to dominate the headlines here. We saw new SUVs from Lincoln with the Corsair, Toyota Highlander, Mercedes has got a host of new SUVs. And what we're seeing is different configurations - more coupe SUVs - just more to the line-ups because that's what Americans are gravitating more now towards. And if we look at vehicle sales of what people are buying, SUVs continue to grow and grow while cars continue to shrink."
5. Various of Mercedes GLC 300 Coupe interior and exterior
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:
"We're seeing technology be a real driver in car sales and in terms of what consumers want. Because I think automakers are having a hard time differentiating themselves on style and quality, because that's hit the max. So, what can they do in the interior that is going to turn the heads of consumers? We're seeing things like smart cue, where your phone is literally hooked up to your car so you can use that. And a big trend that we're also seeing are larger screens now up to over 12 inches, which is amazing, especially when you think of the cars that we drove maybe ten years ago, when a screen wasn't even an option. And we are also seeing a lot of driver assist, so this is the road to autonomy which is really exciting. So, things that help you keep in your lane, systems that help you avoid collisions. It's almost as if the car is doing the driving for you. We're not there yet, but you're seeing a lot of these features are leading us in that direction."
7. Various of Lincoln Corsair interior and exterior
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:
"Every automaker literally here at this auto show is planning for the autonomous vehicle in the next few years. So, I think all of the driver assist features that we see are leading to that point. But right now, it's an arms race in terms of - who's going to get there first? Who's going to have that market share? Because we've never had a technology when there's more questions than answers and I think that, you know, what automakers look to the future and mobility and these fleet sharing type executions, there may not be room for everybody. So, everybody wants to make sure that they're still in business come 2040."
9. Various of the Subaru Outback interior and exterior
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Industry Analysis at Edmunds.com:
"So in 2019, we're seeing auto sales drop off, which is expected. We're expected to see auto sales cool off a bit. Part of it is because the high transaction prices that we're seeing that is caused by a move to larger vehicles and more contented vehicles. But also interest rates, they are up over six percent if you look at the average for new vehicles, which is the highest they've been in over a decade. So, I think when you look at the price people are paying, a lot of consumers are getting sticker shock and having to re-evaluate some of their purchase decisions."
11. Various of 2020 Mercedes EQC interior and exterior
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Harmon, Products Manager, Mercedes Benz U.S.A.:
"So, the focus on this user interface is just that. It's just so that it's easier to interact with the car. Cars have become so sophisticated, it just adds a level of simplicity to it. To just say; 'Hey Mercedes, I'm cold.' You know, instead of having to go through and figure out exactly how to turn things on and off, you just ask her. You can ask her the score of the Yankee game and she'll give it to you."
13. Various of Cadillac CT5 interior and exterior
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Ken Kornas, Cadillac CT5 Product Manager:
"So, a lot of exclusive in segment first features on the vehicle including Super Cruise, which is the first truly hands-free driver assistance technology for the highway. And so, will we roll this out on the CT6 to start? It's now going to be on the CT5, starting in 2020 calendar year. And you'll see this rolling out on future Cadillacs as well. So, it affords the opportunity for customers to be able to really remove their hands from the steering wheel while still in a very safe environment. It uses active safety technologies to keep the customer safe. It still requires them to be aware, but in essence, what it does it relieves the level of stress on especially a long commute."
16. Wide of Hyundai Venue CUV (Compact SUV)
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Evanoff, Senior Manager Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America:
"So, we really recognize that that buyer is very tech savvy. So, standard is an eight-inch display audio that features also standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can get that seamless interface with your phone. Obviously, Bluetooth is available, heated seats, just to make (it) as convenient as possible. But also, safety is a big story. We've got standard forward collision avoidance assist. We've also got standard lane keep assist as well as driver attention warning."
18. Various of Hyundai Venue interior and exterior
Rolling onto the show floor at New York Auto Show, Mercedes' new, fully-electric 2020 EQC SUV.
Organisers say almost 1,000 cars and trucks are on display at the annual event, that's set to open to the public Friday (19 April).
But analysts say auto shows themselves are losing relevance in the industry, as car makers opt for other methods to showcase their latest creations.
"It's seen kind of as old school pulling the sheet off of the car and a lot of automakers now are moving towards launches on social media or big events like fashion shows that are integrated with the cars," says Jessica Caldwell from online auto resource Edmunds.com.
"A way to capture not only the media's attention, but also the average consumer as well."
In keeping with the dramatic shift from cars to sport utilities, most new models at the auto show are SUVs.
"What we're seeing is different configurations - more coupe SUVs - just more to the line-ups because that's what Americans are gravitating more now towards," says Caldwell.
"And if we look at vehicle sales of what people are buying, SUVs continue to grow and grow while cars continue to shrink."
Making its debut at the New York show is the Lincoln Corsair, a luxury version of the Ford Escape small SUV.
Ford says the Lincoln Corsair looks like its larger siblings, the Navigator and Aviator, setting it apart as a luxury vehicle in the fastest-growing part of the U.S. market.
With the possible exception of Jeep, no other automaker has been able to match the outdoorsy all-wheel-drive appeal of Subaru.
The Japanese brand, which has seen sales rise 60 percent in the past five years, is now unveiling a new version of the Outback wagon, its top-selling vehicle.
The 2020 version, shown in New York, doesn't look much different than the current model. It's a little curvier with a rugged-looking front grille.
Technology is also a top trend at the New York Show. Mercedes' 2020 EQC SUV has a voice-controlled smart assistant.
"It's just so that it's easier to interact with the car. Cars have become so sophisticated, it just adds a level of simplicity to it," explains Paul Harmon, products manager at Mercedes Benz U.S.A.
Even though luxury buyers are shifting rapidly to SUVs, General Motors luxury brand Cadillac wants to stay in the sedan market, but do it with fewer models.
So it's unveiling the CT5, one of two new cars in addition to the CT6 full-size sedan that it will introduce to replace the discontinued ATS compact, CTS midsize and XTS full-size sedans.
The fastback CT5, which looks like a shrunken version of the larger CT6, will be the second Caddy to get Super Cruise, General Motors' hands-free driver-assist system that can handle most tasks on a freeway.
The system comes in calendar year 2020.
"It affords the opportunity for customers to be able to really remove their hands from the steering wheel while still in a very safe environment," explains Cadillac CT5 product manager Ken Kornas.
"It uses active safety technologies to keep the customer safe. It still requires them to be aware, but in essence, what it does it relieves the level of stress on especially a long commute."
Korean automaker Hyundai has added a seventh SUV to its line-up, this one at the low end of the size and price spectrum.
The Venue, due out in the fourth quarter, gives the brand an entry-level utility vehicle to compete with Honda's subcompact HR-V, Ford's EcoSport and others.
Although it's at the bottom end of the line-up, the Venue has lots of goodies available, including an eight-inch dashboard display that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to integrate smart phones into the SUV.
"So, we really recognize that that buyer is very tech savvy," says Michael Evanoff, senior manager of product planning at Hyundai Motor America.
"So, standard is an eight-inch display audio that features also standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can get that seamless interface with your phone.
"Obviously, Bluetooth is available, heated seats, just to make (it) as convenient as possible.
The New York International Auto Show opens to the public 19-28 April 2019.
