The North American International Auto Show opened Monday in downtown Detroit. I remember a time when visiting the Auto Show would be a father-son, family, or social experience. The town used to buzz with people curious to see the unveiling of new exotic cars, muscle cars, and interesting concept cars. Since the economy slowed years ago, and especially now that the American auto industry tanked last year, the city is less enthusiastic about the event. The shows are much smaller–from the number of cars displayed to the number of attendees who buy tickets. The hype has largely died.
And so happens on the scene a reporter from CBC News–that’s Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for those less familiar with Canadian media. As I listened to the news hour Monday I caught a brief report a Canadian had from the Auto Show. The way he presented the information left quite the impression of the American auto industry trajectory; a bad impression. He painted a picture of gloom, disparity, and it left me wondering if he had even managed to kick around some tumble weeds at Cobo Hall. I hope that this be a simple exercise in demonstrating that facts do not speak for themselves. The way something is reported can have impacting effects on how a historical event is perceived.
What the reporter chose to emphasize was the huge contrast between the Auto Show now and what it used to be several years ago. He talked about how barely a year ago both Chrysler and General Motors–two of the world’s formerly largest car companies–filed bankruptcy in 2009. He added detail about how both companies are slow to recover. Chrysler is entirely absent from this year’s show since it is still working on car designs since its recovery. GM isn’t too far ahead–they barely have a few car models scattered around the convention hall, and even those are modest exhibits of small, fuel-efficient cars. I mean, who cares about those type of cars, right? You’d think a Canadian would be a little more sympathetic to this idea! The impression I was left with was a sad one. Not only did it paint a picture of gloom about Detroit’s auto industry, but it made the Auto Show the last thing on my list that I would want to visit in the next couple of weeks. In a sense, this shouldn’t surprise us since the culture of our friends to north teaches them that they should relish the idea of big corporations failing. Or maybe they just suffer from a little bit of an inferiority complex.
Now imagine this: another reporter attends the exact same show. And in the ABC News slot they begin by talking about how though GM and Chrysler tanked last year they are on their way to recovery, heading back to the drawing boards to think through designs more pragmatically from now on. They may even begin by reporting that GM has actually begun hiring again. Then they shift to what’s actually being exhibited at the Auto Show, highlighting several interesting brands or makes that are making a splash with viewers. Next, they focus on how GM is jumping in right by focusing on fuel-efficient models–something today’s consumers are looking for. So with a positive tone she admits that while considerably smaller than before, the 2010 Auto Show is still worth seeing, especially as an exciting glimpse into how the American auto industry is recovering from the effects of the poor economy.
In a way, I resent CBC’s take on this event. It seemed like a drive-by critique shrouded in ridicule. But the point is this: facts don’t speak for themselves for those who weren’t around to witness an event. The reporter, writer, historian brings their interpretive lens to every story they cover. Though both CBC and ABC may not have reported anything contradictory, it almost seemed like they were talking about two different phenomenon. They may have different underlying purposes in reporting, but that does not mean the events they are reporting on are not historical. Consider how this might apply to our historical investigation of the Resurrection, the life of Jesus, and the early church. Understand that the New Testament authors did have an agenda (see John 20:30-31; Luke 1:1-4), but that does not mean the events which they investigated and reported on did not happen. Consider this as you read the varying New Testament accounts.
Correction: DETROIT Auto Show begins Saturday, January 16th. And on a personal note, I think we should refuse to refer to the DETROIT Auto Show as the North American International Auto Show. Every other auto show in the world is called by the city where its located. There was a push to give the Detroit Auto Show a more international feel, but that’s not necessary, it already is one of the biggest in the world. And after reading this blog, its clear that Canadians do not feel that this auto show is at all representative of them (the big push for the NAIAS name change came because they wanted to include Windsor). Sorry to hijack your blog Andy with my rant, but I think its a valid enough point. GB
Interesting point Radu! When I was thinking about the title, I considered it more honorable for it to be referred to as the NAIAS, because it denotes a a further-reaching influence. Maybe that wasn’t the point of the name though. My mistake on the date–that’s when it opened up for the press.