mmarshall

For those of you in or near the D.C. area, don't forget the D.C. Auto Show starts next Friday, April 5, and runs through Sunday April 14. In the past, free show-tickets could be picked up at any local D.C. area new-vehicle dealer, but this year, for some reason, the tickets are late arriving.

https://www.washingtonautoshow.com



Here's the current floor plan...it's quite similar to what was there the last couple of years.

https://www.washingtonautoshow.com/s...fo/floor-maps/



https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...54081528221277

Toys4RJill

I do see Cadillac on the floor plan?

mmarshall

Caddy, Mercedes, Porsche, and BMW are all (apparently) skipping the D.C. show again this year. As I recall, Caddy, MB, and Porsche were not there last year, either....although I'm not sure about BMW. Some of those companies have also been skipping the Detroit show in recent years.

I'm going this year (probably for at least a couple of days), but not so much for me as for others...and to get some advance views on some 2020 models I've been asked to review or write about, such as the next-generation Ford Explorer and Bronco. (We'll have to see if they reach local dealerships in time for the time-limit on the Annual Ford Test-Drive gift-card Mastercard offer, or if Ford even has that program again this year......Lincoln has already converted theirs to a charity-donation program instead). With so many full-size upscale sedans disappearing (or that will be disappearing by the end of the year), there probably won't be much at the show I personally am interested in, except for some versions of the new Avalon and Cadenza, both of which I've already sampled and done brief write-ups on, and the Genesis G80.

mmarshall

For those going, I highly recommend the subway rather than to try and drive/park downtown, which can be next to impossible. Even with Metro's subway problems (which, yes, can be annoying) they are still usually a better choice than drive-yourself....and cheaper than a cab or Uber-ride. From whatever subway station you use, transfer to the the Metro Green or Yellow line and get off at the Mt. Vernon Square / Convention Center station. The building-entrance off the subway itself is directly above the station, on the escalators, unless they have that entrance blocked off for some reason (which occasionally happens)...then you'll have to walk a couple of blocks down to the building's front-entrance.

Toys4RJill

I had meant, I do not see Cadillac. That is odd as the rest of the GM family is present

mmarshall

No odder than last year. That's GM's marketing for you....makes about as much sense as a submarine with screen doors.

SW17LS

BMW was there last year...

mmarshall

That's why I said I wasn't sure about BMW last year. I didn't remember spending much time at their display.

I don't know what's with the Germans......only VW and Audi are coming to D.C. this year. Even Detroit seems to having some trouble recruiting the Germans. Perhaps they feel that it costs them more to actually put on a display at the shows than they estimate they are getting back in sales from them.

LexusNN

iTrader: (5)

Porsche was there last year. They were next to Audi. They are there again this year as shown on the map

mmarshall

Thanks....good catch. At first, I didn't catch the Porsche display on the map this year, but you're correct...it's there. I don't remember Porsche being here last year, though.....they have skipped several years recently, and even skipped Detroit for one or two years.

Mitsubishi has also skipped the D.C. show for several years recently, but they are such a small player on the American scene now that they probably don't even have the funds or resources for an adequate display now.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

not sure we need to characterize the multiple brands and companies based in Germany as ‘the Germans’. That would be like characterizing tesla, gm, ford, etc., as ‘the Americans’ or mitsubishi, honda, toyota and subaru as ‘the Japanese’ which wouldn’t make much sense.

mbarron37

Seems ok to me. That’s how I would classify those automakers. It’s ok not to be PC 100% of the time.

tex2670

BMW and Mini bowed out of Philly this year, and they were there last year.

mmarshall

OK.....given the global nature of the industry today, I'll agree with that. I was using the term "Germans" mostly in an arbitrary manner....where VW / Audi / Porsche, MB, and BMW are actually headquartered.

Toys4RJill

I don’t see what the big the deal is. You used the term “Germans” correct and you were right. There are German brands and most people are aware who they are. Where they are made is of little relevance.