Three motor show press days on two continents have presented automakers with logistical problems.
The Tokyo show opened on 20 November – exactly the same day as Los Angeles picked. At least one UK journalist is attempting to ‘do’ both, claiming the 16 hour time difference makes it possible.
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The third motor show is in Guangzhou, China, bigger than westerners might expect, certainly large enough to encourage Porsche to unveil a new model. This one opened the day after the other two although press day was planned originally to follow two days later, theoretically making it possible to leave LA the evening of the day of arrival and be back in Asia two days later.
So automakers have turned to communication technologies using social networks and satellites to get their messages across. Tata Motors’ Jaguar Land Rover picked a ‘secret’ LA location for the launch of the new F-type coupe and the event was beamed around the world.
In Tokyo, marketing chief Phil Popham, said: “certainly three shows within the space of two days in major markets such as North America, Japan and China, stretches the resources of a company like ours. Remember we are still quite a small player in manufacturing terms but, having said that, the way we are growing means that launches have to become part of our normal business as we shorten our model cycles in line with the competition.”
While the new BMW Mini was being unveiled at its Cowley factory in England, it also shown in Tokyo and Los Angeles. Porsche, meanwhile, launched different models at all three shows.
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By GlobalDataJapan got the Panamera Turbo S2, while the Macan compact SUV and 911 Turbo Cabriolet made a LA-LA land debut before the launch circus headed back across the Pacific Ocean to reveal the 918 Spyder in China.
For the journalists heading to Tokyo with Nissan UK, there was another twist – late arrival of the inbound plane reportedly delayed their departure 17 hours, so an afternoon arrival and relaxed evening ahead of the show turned into a breakfast time arrival and straight from airport bus to show hall.
Those of us not included on any of at least three ‘sponsored’ trips are, of course, completely sympathetic…
