Paris Auto Show Coverage Overlooks Industry Troubles

The Paris Auto Show had its usual large number of new model introductions, along with dozens and dozens of displays of cars and light trucks already on sale around the world. Products from Audi, Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) and Renault were particularly visible.

Among all of the glitter there probably was not a single industry leader who did not complain that the worldwide auto business is in deep trouble. Not only are European sales plummeting, but China’s activity has flattened. That leaves U.S. sales, which have been unusually strong the past two years, but could begin to drop next year along with the American economy.

Despite these problems, most press coverage of the event ignores the trouble and focuses on vehicles most people will not be able to buy. A sample of that coverage from The Los Angeles Times:

Jaguar used the 2012 Paris Motor Show to unveil its long-awaited F-Type convertible. So named to evoke memories of the car’s spiritual predecessor, the eternally gorgeous E-Type, this new two-seat Jag will take aim at the likes of Porsche’s Boxster/Cayman and possibly the 911.

It will interesting to see how many of those are sold.

Douglas A. McIntyre