Opening day drives families, couples to Chicago Auto Show

Opening day drives families, couples to Chicago Auto Show

Minutes after Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle jointly cut the ribbon in opening the 110th installment of the nation’s largest and longest running auto show, a line formed at Camp Jeep.

The line moved fast around the show’s star attraction, which features the redesigned Jeep Wrangler conquering a steep hill, boulders, a staircase and other off-road obstacles.

The interactive display, one of dozens on a show floor teeming with sights, sounds and tote bags, epitomizes the auto show experience.

“We’re looking at the Jeeps for Mom, who lives way out past Antioch,” said Anthony Giannini, 27 of West Chicago, who, along with his sister, brother-in-law, best friend, niece and other friends and family were among the first in line. “And it’s pretty cool.”

Tanya Humphrey, 44 of Lansing, hit Camp Jeep first with her 18-year-old daughter Elise, like they do every year. Tanya wasn’t just in line for a ride; Elise plans to take the family’s Jeep away to college.

Time for a new one,” Tanya said. “Once you’re a Jeep owner, you’re Jeep for life.”

There is far more to see and do than just Camp Jeep, including nearly 1,000 vehicles from 36 automakers spread out over one million square feet at McCormick Place.

Kenyatta Strader of Berkeley, Ill., was with her mother and two sons, who love cars.

Before peeling out to jump around in a Pacifica minivan, her son Bear said he wanted a Camaro, Corvette and a Dodge, in that order. He’s nine. Kenyatta was a little more pragmatic. “I’m interested in getting a new Toyota,” she said. “RAV4, that’s my favorite.”

While reports of the demise of auto shows are on the rise despite a torrid sales pace since the 2008 recession, opening day of the Chicago Auto Showseems to prove otherwise. The season’s worst snow storm didn’t deter attendees at the First Look for Charity kickoff event the night before.

“If there was ever a testament to the popularity of the show it was last night,” said Dave Sloan general manager of the Chicago Auto Show. “We had a near record crowd in black tie coming out in a horrible weather day.”

    An estimated 10,000 people in tuxedos, evening gowns and slippers braved the weather to help raise over $2.8 million to benefit 18 Chicago-area charities.

Weather aside, there are legitimate concerns for the health of an industry that swings on a boom or bust pendulum. The mobility market is in the midst of its most significant transformation in a century, with ride sharing, semi-autonomous driving, the decline of the two-car family, and rising incentives with declining sales creating uncertainty.

Those concerns were far removed from the auto show floor, which was comprised of just as many people who had no intention of buying a car in the next year. Carl and Mary Jane, retirees from Manitowoc, Wisc., came with their youngest of four children to visit the show for the first time.

“She likes the city, he likes cars,” said daughter, Carla, 32 of Milwaukee. “It’s a good compromise.”

Some other families were broaching a compromise as well.

“It’s a wonderful setting but it’s overwhelming,” said Paul Hanson, 48 of Arlington Heights. “You think you’re zeroed in on one but then there’s the one over there you never considered.”

“I want the Lambo,” said his 15-year-old son, Max.

“That’s it,” Paul laughed. “So many different options, from pickups to sedans to Lamborghini.