New York Auto Show gives glimpses into future of driving

Hailed by the cognoscenti as the car-lovers paradise, the annual New York International Automobile Show at the sprawling Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan gave visitors glimpses into the future of automobile design and technology all under one roof.

At the center’s 4-floor interior nearly 1,000 vehicles were on display March 30 through April 8 as visitors thronged the nation's biggest car convention. People saw coupes and sedans outshined by the sport-utility vehicles and cross-overs.

“With more than 60 world and North American vehicle debuts, many of them focusing on the future of mobility through electric vehicles, this year’s show is the place to explore for environmentally savvy New Yorkers,” said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

Autonomous cars as well as electric cars excited some interest among those browsing cars thanks to showings from companies such as Toyota, traditionally a favorite of the Indian-American community, as well as Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.

Veteran Indian-American attendees, some of whom were present at the show, said apart from its many excellent features and state-of-the-art technology comparable with other renowned manufacturers, things that attract Desi buyers of Toyota the most are the cars’ better gas mileage and inexpensive maintenance costs. Toyota's new 2019 RAV4 made its fifth-generation debut at the show.

RAV4 currently ranks as the number-one-selling vehicle in the Toyota lineup, as well as the best-selling non-pickup-truck in the country. RAV4 incorporates an optimally tuned multi-link rear suspension, providing ideal damping for handling, minimum interior cabin noise, and the utmost ride comfort. Ground clearance has been increased by more than half an inch, yet RAV4 is able to achieve improved aerodynamics, according to the company.

Toyota was a pioneer in the crossover segment with its original RAV4 model. With borrowed styling cues from the 4Runner and Tacoma, as opposed to the crowd favorite Camry, the new RAV4 includes high-tech safety and driver assistance technologies. The car is affordable even with its advanced features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist and emergency braking.

“We are in our early phases right now with our advertising and marketing for the next year, but we have definitely kept the Indian community in mind. We have some consumer research specifically with Indian-Americans. Toyota is one of the only brands that has all the active safety features: the pre-collision system,” said Laura Pihkala, a marketing communication planning senior specialist.

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback, known to be the world’s highest-selling nameplate, comes in two grades: SE and XSE. Both have chrome rear accents and alloy wheels. XSEs add 18-inch wheels to turn the model into a race car.