Where's Waldo?

The Detroit Auto Show (or North American International Auto Show) is running all week, and as you have probably guessed, it's a huge deal for automakers and consumers.  While not on the scale of the CES, it is a huge event that draws nearly a million Detroit area residents, often in inclement weather conditions.

As one of the leading auto exhibits in the world, it's a chance for other industries that have a connection to cars and trucks to make a statement, too. This is why XM and Sirius have taken exhibit space the past few years.

But when you gaze at the floor map of Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center, you'll notice a glaring omission.  There's no HD Radio booth, table, or exhibit.  We sent our rep, Chris Crowley, to the show, and he couldn't find a single HD Radio logo or tie-in.  Cruising up and down "radio row" (six stations were there) didn't yield any better results either.  Chris spoke with staffers at each booth, asked about HD Radio, and received blank stares in return.

In defense of HD Radio, they had excellent presence at the CES, and we heard great things about their setup.  But if a key to HD Radio is to get it into vehicles ASAP, then the chance to make a statement here in the Motor City, in front of a million eyes, and support the local radio stations that are working hard to promote HD Radio, is an opportunity missed.

Not to mention that the executives of the key auto companies - from Toyota to GM to BMW - are all here, showcasing their vehicles, and taking in the show.  Several were interviewed by J.J. & Lynne, the morning team at CSX, and I was struck by the common theme that these CEOs use the show as an opportunity to scope out the competition.  They are here to generate PR for their companies, but they are also gaining a measure of the rest of the industry, from cars and trucks, to accessories and peripherals.  They also use the show to gauge interest in vehicles and options from consumers.  They look carefully at the crowds lined up at the Ford Interceptor exhibit or the lines to ogle the concept Camaro.  They use these shows to help in the decision-making process.  It's like a focus group attended by thousands of car buyers.

Yes, the HD Alliance has to pick and choose its spots, but In this case, you could argue they missed a good one.

Comments

[700WLW]

HD Radio is a fraud and a farce, so anything that helps it fail, is wonderful news !

[700WLW is an IDIOT]

700WLW is an idiot - pure and simple. The poor guy spends all of his time looking for blogs like this one to comment on.

I'd be willing to bet he hasn't been laid in years.

As for the blog entry - I agree. They definitely missed an opportunity.

[700WLW is an IDIOT]

I need to amend my last post. After reading more of his comments, I'm convinced this 700WLW guy hasn't EVER been laid.

[PocketRadio]

In response to "700WLW is an IDIOT":

“HD Radio on the Offense”

“But after an investigation of HD Radio units, the stations playing HD, and the company that owns the technology; and some interviews with the wonks in DC, it looks like HD Radio is a high-level corporate scam, a huge carny shill.”

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/2007-03-07/music/hd-radio-on-the-offense

“4/4/07 - FCC: Market to Decide Fate of HD Radio”

http://www.diymedia.net/archive/0407.htm

“Sirius, XM, and HD: Consumer interest reality check”

“While interest in satellite radio is diminishing, interest in HD shows no signs of a pulse.”

http://www.hear2.com/2007/02/sirius_xm_and_h.html

“U.S. automakers not jumping into HD Radio”

http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSN2632750220070427?pageNumber=1

“Bridge Ratings: Sweat the cell phone and don’t count on HD”

“In other words, Bridge says interest in HD radio is decreasing even as your station works hard to increase awareness. What can I possibly add to this honest and bleak picture that I haven’t said before? My well-intended warnings about HD’s “premature death” seem to be rearing their ugly heads almost two years later.”

http://www.hear2.com/2007/04/bridge_ratings_.html

“But is ‘availability’ of HD radios the problem?”

“And one broadcaster reported to me that he asked an iBiquity rep how many HD radios had actually been sold as of the most recent accounting. And this was his answer: 150,000.”

http://www.hear2.com/2007/04/but_is_availabi.html

HD Radio is a scam that has been a complete failure with consumers and the auto industry.