Hashtag #CAS13

March 13-17, BMO Centre, Calgary, Alberta

The 2013 Calgary International Auto & Truck show was quite a success. If you were to ask the automakers, they might have a different answer but as an auto industry employee and sight-seer, I would say well done.

Something happened at the Auto Show this year - people started to pay attention.
No, not all of the talking heads who manned the different booths had too much automotive expertise but if we're talking about the cars, let's just shut up and look at them and then decide what we like.

Take for example the Scion|Racing FR-S Drift Car that maybe caused some whiplash with head turns. Drifter, Pat Cyr was partially responsible for the attention-getter and Calgary definitely appreciated the eye candy, with pictures popping up on Social Media sites like weeds in the summer.

What else surprised Calgary?
Well, Kia's display was exceptionally well-designed with a contemporary comfyness and subtle touches that were above; at least my, expectations of the South Korean motor company.

And then there was Lexus who did a beautiful job of displaying the new IS F.
Yes, with the red leather interior that looks as good as it sounds.

Notable mentions of course go to Jaguar and their newest addition, the all-wheel-drive option.
The Honda Gear concept car rotating on a platform caused a few, "kinda cool"s - it was red and sporty but has a chopped front-end that might take some getting used to.

Toyota once again played it safe.

Two lamppost-style pillars formed the entrance of the all-grey foundation which surrounded the fourth-generation 2013 RAV4 in front of one television. Truthfully, the most interesting part of the automaker's display was the matching grey exterior - ironically - of its unique FJ Cruiser.

The Crimson Mica colour of the new Avalon made a few show-goers pause for a second look, but overall, Toyota was absolutely out-done this year by its "not-so-little-anymore" little brother, Scion.

The bright colours and two-story set up made people flock to Scion. \
A drift car, a sports coupe for around $25-thousand, all backed by Toyota - the largest automaker in the world - yeah, that's what gets people talking.

SO -

At the end of the day...or weekend, the Calgary International Auto & Truck Show brought out many different sides of the automotive industry and a ballroom-full of new models to admire and critique.
What struck me the most was the inconsistency of the company representatives to want to educate the consumer. Sure, when you think of cars you probably think of GIRLS. AND CARS AND GIRLS AND GIRLS ON CARS. But here in reality, you can only hire so many girls to stand pretty next to your cars. Correct me if I'm wrong, but most of the time the girls aren't the ones who actually want to talk about the cars. The Imports were more prepared with knowledge and know-how, while the Domestics seemed to be more preoccupied with the fashion competition.

And then there were the Exotics. Those guys get all the attention.