Guided Auto Show Tours

PAUL EISENSTEIN

Paul A. Eisenstein is publisher of the online magazine, Headlight.News and a contributor to a broad arrays of outlets in print, broadcast and online. He has been covering the global auto industry for nearly 45 years and has won an array of awards. He’s a founding board member and past president of the Automotive Press Association and a long-time juror for the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) awards.

“I cover all aspects of the auto industry, from new products reviews to in-depth business reporting. I have extensive experience covering the emergence of “green cars,” writing and reviewing vehicles and technologies such as hybrids, plug-ins, EVs and fuel-cell vehicles. I’ve also extensively covered autonomous and fully driverless vehicle technologies.”

ABOUT THE TOURS

Electric Cars:  These are the wave of the future, though it will take the rest of this decade to fully address some key challenges such as range, reliability, cost and the availability of public charging. That said, I find that motorists who spend time in an EV tend to fall in love with them. The good news is that there’s a growing list of EVs coming to market, with well over 100 different models set to reach showrooms by late 2024. And for those who may not want – or may not be able — to go fully electric, there are green alternatives, including hybrids, plug-ins and even hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.

Enthusiast Vehicles:  While most American motorists simply want a reliable vehicle that serves their basic daily needs, there is still a large audience for what might be described as the “enthusiast vehicle.” But the definition has evolved over the years. At one point that generally described folks who wanted a muscle or sports car or, perhaps, a hot rod. Today, it covers a number of other areas of enthusiasm, particularly off-roading.

Family:  When I was growing up, a “family vehicle” was likely to be a full-size station wagon, preferably one with a rear-facing third row for the kids. By the mid-1980s, however, the definition changed, with a focus on minivans. Today, SUVs and CUVs tend to be the most sought-after products for family buyers, with increasing emphasis on models with a third row. And there are more and more of these available in U.S. showrooms. At the same time, we’re seeing such vehicles come with an array of advanced safety technologies that can prevent and accident or, at the least, limit the damage and injuries should one occur. Add infotainment and other comfort tech and parents are less likely to hear the kids call out, “Are we there, yet?”