Autocar Magazine

23 April 2014

A MOTOR SHOW WEEK is about as exciting as it gets for us. So a week with two major shows is an extremely rare treat. Both New York and Beijing were packed with exciting new cars, too. Inevitably, the sheer scale and clout of the Chinese show meant that it was by far the more significant of the two. But it would be a mistake to dismiss the New York show as a bit player by comparison. As you can see from our extensive coverage, the American manufacturers and importers alike all launched significant new models. Including, of course, the Land Rover concept that previews the new Discovery family. BMW showed us a new SUV and there were a raft of new models from the domestic brands, many of which will eventually come across the Atlantic. The motor show barometer is a useful one. It helps to confirm that the US is every bit as buoyant as the much heralded Chinese market. That’s good news for our own luxury car makers, for whom these two powerhouses are their largest markets. All of which makes us think that it’s a shame the UK no longer has a show of its own. We could be right up there with New York. Chas Hallett - Brand Editor