The Petrolhead Plea: Don't Let The Auto Show Die

Unless you have been living under a rock, you might have read about major auto players pulling out of the 2016 Paris Motor Show. I wouldn't have batted an eye if it was just a couple of manufacturers who chose to skip it, purely because it is considered routine. There are off chances, though, that a manufacturer does not have new products to showcase or maybe concepts/new versions aren't a huge priority. Also, I wouldn't have bothered if it was one among the thousands of auto shows that keep happening across the globe every few months. But, this is Paris we're talking about. It is known to be extravagant, gets a crazy footfall and needless to mention, showcases the finest of the motoring industry.  

So, you do see my concern, right? 

Most manufacturers are shying away from the show, claiming that the world is moving towards digital interactions. The world wide web (incidentally the medium you are reading this on) is fast-paced and gets the word across faster than you can blink. It doesn't even need to have an elaborate description. Sometimes, just 140 characters do the trick. And, in all fairness, this is an extremely logical decision. No one really has the time to sift through a massive display area, and meticulously check what's on offer. Since the world is happy swiping left and right on a phone screen, manufacturers are more than happy to give them the option too. It is just a bonus, that manufacturers end up saving millions of dollars in the process. 

It is plausible then, that the concept of motor shows, as a whole, will be questioned a few years down the line. As someone who latched at the newspaper when he saw a car in it, played with a questionable amount of car toys and didn't sleep at the thought of attending an auto show the next day, this saddens me. For I know, no amount of interactive websites, apps and fancy presentations will replace the feeling of looking at the cars that have adorned your bedroom wall, right in front of you. As much as virtual reality is taking the centre stage as the 'next-big-thing' as far as the world of automobiles go, there is no replacement for having your favourite set of wheels within an arm's length. 

The energy and the atmosphere are a few of the things my laptop cannot replicate even if it wanted to. I know I trembled for a while when I first saw the Nissan GT-R fire up right before my eyes at a local auto show. I remember ogling at scale models positioned right next to the real deal, and those nonchalant tugs at Dad's hands to get me one of those. It feels slightly odd that the future crop of motorheads might not get to experience all of this. Because, at the end of the day that's what these shows are - an experience. Something that doesn't make sense to the brain but makes immense sense to the heart, for you know the crowds, the exorbitant entry fee and the overpriced food is worth it for the experience alone. Let the next-gen see it before their eyes, and take in the sights and sounds. Let them sit, play around, fiddle and explore.

Because cars are possibly among the few non-human entities that we 'connect' to. And, while most call us petrolheads crazy, we believe cars talk, feel and understand what you ask them to do. There's more to them than being a chunk of metal, rubber and a million miles of wiring. There's definitely more to them than an engine, four wheels and a steering. There are times when you need nothing more than some 'alone time' with your set of four wheels. 

It is rather ironic then, that cars, that possibly embody the whole concept of freedom and exploration, want you to look at them through a screen. 

So, you do see my concern, right?