QOTD: Making an Entrance

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey

You may have noticed one of the pictures I added to Mr. Guy's Dodge Challenger 170 story after the car's unveiling was of the vehicle being airlifted onto the Las Vegas Motor Speedway dragstrip via helicopter.

You'd have seen the whole production if you watched the Roadkill livestream.


During last night's presentation, I turned to one of my fellow media members and said something to the effect of "well, this is the same company that once paraded cattle through the streets of Detroit." Well, OK, it's not exactly the same company -- Stellantis is different than Cerberus -- nor is the person behind that stunt still employed by that automaker, but you get the idea. Brands associated with Chrysler/DaimlerChrysler/FCA/Stellantis have been known to put on a show when unveiling a car.

So, too, have other automakers. I still reminder a New York Auto Show event for Scion (RIP) that included gymnasts, for example.

Sadly, for a variety of reasons, the over-the-top new-car launch isn't as common as it used to be. But once in a while we still get something like what happened last night, either at an auto show or a stand-alone event.

So, I ask of you, B and B -- which one over the years has been your favorite?

Sound off below.

[Image: Dodge/Stellantis, © 2023 Tim Healey/TTAC]

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Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

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3 of 7 comments
  • ToolGuy ToolGuy on Mar 22, 2023

    Helicopters suck (Generally. Useful in *some* applications, but if you need a helicopter, chances are 54.879% that someone screwed up somewhere along the line.)

    Drones are useful. (So we won't pick on all 'rotary wing' aircraft.)

    • GT Ross GT Ross on Mar 26, 2023

      Helicopters suck. What a ridiculous statement. There isn't a "drone" made (yet) than can do what a Kayman K-Max can do. (that's the heli in the pic).


  • 95_SC 95_SC on Mar 23, 2023

    Long line precision placement. I used to watch contract birds drop containers on the mark in this manner because a convention sling load would bring the bird too close to the ground and the rotor wash would blow the FOB away. Took skill. It was mostly pilots that had worked for logging companies I always heard

  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X As much problems as I had with my '96 Chevy Impala SS.....I would love to try one again. I've seen a Dark Cherry Metallic one today and it looked great.
  • Susan O’Neil There is a good reason to keep the Chevrolet Malibu and other 4 door family sedans! You can transport your parents and other somewhat handicapped people comfortably and safety! If someone can stand and pivot you can put them in your car. An armrest in the back seat is appreciated and a handle above the door! Oh…and leather seats so your passenger can slide across the seat! 😊Plus, you can place a full sized wheelchair or walker in the trunk! The car sits a little lower…so it’s doable! I currently have a Ford Fusion and we have a Honda Accord. Our previous cars were Mercury Sables-excellent for transporting handicapped people and equipment! As the population ages-sedans are a very practical choice! POV from a retired handicapped advocate and daughter! 😊
  • Freddie Remember those ads that say "Call your doctor if you still have...after four hours"?You don't need to call your doctor, just get behind the wheel of a CUV. In fact, just look at one.I'm a car guy with finite resources; I can't afford a practical car during the week plus a fun car on the weekend. My solution is my Honda Civic Si 4 door sedan. Maybe yours is a Dodge Charger (a lot of new Chargers are still on dealer lots).
  • Daniel J Interesting in that we have several weeks where the temperature stays below 45 but all weather tires can't be found in a shop anywhere. I guess all seasons are "good enough".
  • Steve Biro For all the talk about sedans vs CUVs and SUVs, I simply can’t bring myself to buy any modern vehicle. And I know it’s only going to get worse.
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