GM overshadowed new models at NY auto show

Walk through New York Auto show is ground at the Javits Center during the press days, and there is no shortage of auto executives, journalists, and industry consultants around.

But walking the North Hall, where General Motors the new Z06 Corvette convertible and the Chevrolet Trax SUV shown is, and it's a far different story. The area is a virtual ghost town with a few GM employees, talking to a few journalists, made their way into the room.

Welcome to the world of General Motors in the spring of 2014, where the unveiling of new models of car manufacturers through the ignition switch recall crisis has cast a pall.

Try as she does, GM CEO Mary Barra are able to shift focus away from the scandal and mounting questions in four investigations such as the automakers over faulty ignition switches in vehicles more than 1.6 million decisions bound.

She also admits the focus is now the recall investigation.

"But in the meantime, we will maintain the momentum," Barra said. "We will continue the acceleration around the world of what we do. Great products, strong business results; "and we have to do the team."

Outside the auto show, sales have shown some resilience despite the recall crisis last month.

"Traffic," said Mark Reuss, the head of product development at General Motors. "That wasn't easy, but we stay focused."

Last month GM sales by 4.3 per cent, not far away rose of the industry sales pace of 5.7 percent.

Traders say their loyal, repeat-GM buyers are looking at the current wave of Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC models, and see vehicles that are quite different than the Chevy Cobalt and Saturn Ion at the center of the investigation.

The new Corvette Z06 convertible on display at the fair, is another example of a new vehicle from GM that a sharper look and better performance than the cost-oriented economic models built from 2003 to 2007.

It remains to be seen, check how many are on the new Corvette at the auto show, when it opens Friday to the public.