DETROIT AUTO SHOW 2006: Tough slogging for journalists at the show

Only so many lattes a journo can drink
Jan. 14, 2006. TORONTO STAR
NIKA ROLCZEWSKI

DETROIT—Two years ago, Detroit was voted the fattest city in America.

Back then, mayor Kwame Kilpatrick blamed the obesity problem on car culture and the fact that the city is the "automotive capital of the world."

This year Detroit dropped to 15th place in the survey by Men's Fitness magazine, but you wouldn't know it.

Here at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, the fattest are not the executives of the big three auto makers or the general population. It's the 6,800-plus media folk here aboard the journalistic gravy train.

Who am I to complain? I'm always told this is a dream job.

But it's still work and I'm currently working on my fourth café latte.

Instead of walls, I'm bouncing off an assortment of shiny metal, the latest and greatest vehicles in the world.

Thanks to my free high-octane caffeine boost, I have the energy to view more than 700 cars and attend the 40-odd press conferences scheduled over three days.

At the Michelin Media Centre, amid the buzz of computers, I saunter up to the trough. A convention floor flashback of the anorexic models draped over the Italian machinery keeps me behaving.

My treat of choice is the "Bon au Café." Milk chocolate "harmonized" with Jamaican blue coffee. I feel it harmonizing onto my hips. I leave the gold dusted pear and the "Chocolate Mille" for another time. Treats like these — better suited for a pâtisserie than an auto show — are just some of the gluttonous offerings.

Next, I'm off for a little massage. The walking through the 700,000 square feet of Cobo Hall displays is hard on the tootsies and I'm ready for a break.

My shoulder bag is weighed down with press kits and my back is starting to ache.

Suzuki, bless their hearts, have special chairs set up with certified masseuses to knead out the stress.

After my short spa experience in the middle of the convention hall, I'm feeling peckish and puckish.

Choices galore. I wonder whether lunch should be a sit-down affair or a quick bite. Will it be sushi at Infiniti or a chicken basket at Ford?

Ask me about my NAIAS memories and I think of the wonderful sausages at Volkswagen and the fruit smoothies at Mini. The latter is noticeably absent this year — so much for tradition.

Traditionally the event is a smorgasbord of schmooze. From economy to exotic, sensible to ridiculous and not just meaning the cars, the show is the place to be to "first." First to see what may go into production or what may not. Why not at least be comfortable while doing it.

Beanbag chairs, funky lounges to relax in or video games to play. Everything has its purpose: to grab a person's attention and keep it there.

Early afternoon signals the bar carts to open and many will partake in a little imbibing. By nightfall, that will change to "a little more" as there will be many events to attend. Kobe beef and a cigar lounge for Nissan and the ever popular Fire Hall gathering for DaimlerChrysler are just a few.

Companies spend millions of dollars over the course of the show.

Lighting, special effects, music and hype — it's all here. Expect the unexpected, one car executive said. I agree. For I know I've not had enough wine to imagine actress Eva Longoria making a short appearance on stage. I am not imagining the word "Jeep" in a waterfall and the Ford display that looks like the mother ship is not going to beam me anywhere.

Each year the bar is placed just that little bit higher. Both in the quality of the product and in its media launch — or is that lunch?

Why go through all this? After all the razzle-dazzle, the North American International Auto show is still about the cars. And after peeling away all the hoopla, the show is truly a Mecca of innovation and design.

Car lovers like the Wheels staff react like kids in a candy store. And speaking of candy, I have another chocolate bonbon waiting for me and a Weight Watchers meeting postponed until next week. Who's to know?