All Photos Submitted By Joe Hudak
Just a train ride away in the heart of Philadelphia. Next stop Market East, just two floors up from the train station an experience like no other: the opportunity to see a diverse array of cars, dubs, trucks and many other models all spaced out on two sets of floors.
The Philadelphia Auto Show located at the Philadelphia Convention Center happens every year. After your ticket is scanned, one enters onto the beginning of the tour, where the flashiness of Mercedes, BMWs, Acuras and other cars surround you.
“I’ve been going to the auto show since I could walk,” junior graphic design major Joseph Hudak said. “The entire place is electric.”
It’s the perfect opportunity to sit in almost every car you’ve ever wanted to sit in at a dealership under one roof on one floor.
The main floor has just about every car maker from Ford, to Mustang, to KIA, to Porches, to BMW and so many more. Some spectators got a chance to ride in different cars while riding through a course. The course began with a ramp, then over some logs, then another ramp and then through a patch of dirt.
Blasting from another one of the show’s rooms are the sounds from today’s music. The vibrations are so big you can feel them even before you enter into the room.
“I loved seeing the exotic cars, especially the DUB show,” junior business major Leyla Withrow said.
The DUB tour is more formally known as cars that are well over-done. They either have their truck raised, speakers that you would see in someone’s dorm room blasting out of their trunk, different colored cars. This is where “Do Not Touch” signs are on almost every car window.
“Just being able to see all the DUB cars decked out was pretty outrageous,” Withrow said. “Who would have ever thought to do some of the things that the owners do to their cars.”
As you turn the corner to leave the DUB showroom there was a giant blue Ford 250 diesel. “The four tires were enormous which elevated the body of the truck to a height imaginable,” Hudak said. “I asked the owner how his truck does in snow? he simply replied, “I didn’t even feel it, let alone think there was even snow on the ground.”
“Jaw dropping,” Hudak said.
“It was well put together, interesting and informative,” Richard Hudak, salesman at Matthews Paoli Ford, said. “Great for consumers to learn more about current and future cars to come.”
The auto show pulls together a week-long event of walking around, learning about old and new cars, and what more they have to offer. It’s almost impossible to walk somewhere without bumping into another car. Especially when there are well over $100,000 cars sitting arm lengths away.
Tim Headley, salesman for Maserati of the Main Line and business major at Cabrini College finds the auto show incredible. It’s a chance to meet all types of potential clients, which was especially noted at the launch of the show; the black tie gala.
“The entire 10 day experience is tiring, especially on the weekends,” Headley said. “However my colleagues and I believe that hard work will pay off.” In fact Headley noted that their dealership managers had already received emails and calls seeking more interest in their products.
“We were able to enjoy a personal tour of the new Maseratis on display at the auto show,” Withrow said. “Our friend works for Maserati and we were able to go behind the ropes and sit in all five cars that were showcased.”
“Truly an experience, since you can’t do this just any day,” Withrow said.
Headley interest in automobiles started before he can even remember. “Growing up my eyes drew quickly to the exotics,” Headley said. He later found out he wanted to make this his career one day. Thus his perseverance to become a sales assistant is just one step closer to his dream.
“I’m excited when I go to work,” Headley said.
It’s not just about walking around and seeing all different cars, it’s also about learning, even more so shopping. It’s like killing two birds with one stone. It’s basically a whole bunch of dealerships put together and the salesmen are just waiting for your questions.
“The auto show is a chance for people to have a good time,” Matthew Brennan junior exercise science and health promotion major, said. “An experience to view the old and new cars that have come to be.”
