Technology

Smart makes one of the smallest production cars in the market. But belying its stature, the brand went tall and broad with its exhibits at this month’s North American International Auto Show at the Cobo center in Detroit. The brand kept its little efficient cars in the spotlight, not taking focus away, but enhancing the fun with simple, neat coolness. The best interactive was designed to highlight the consumer’s ability to customize everything about the Smart experience by showing just one feature.

Since the iPad launched, more event marketers are making it the handheld of choice for their events, especially for street programs designed to drive traffic online.

To promote six of its key Chevrolet vehicles—Cruze, Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, Traverse and Silverado—the Washington D.C.-area Criswell Automotive group is executing a high-tech winter and spring tour which turns traditional car displays into an interactive experience for consumers. Since Nov.15, the tour has been targeting shoppers at Virginia, Maryland and D.C. malls.

The Honda National Dealer Meeting, which took place last June at the Denver Convention Center, lifted the lid off Pandora’s box, but instead of unleashing the evils of mankind, it portrayed Honda’s view of the world, its technology and approach to the future. This Pandora’s Box is a 3D media server that had Honda engines and power trains, motorcycles and people movers flying through the air and landing on stage.

Last month, the Cobo Center in Detroit played host to the largest automotive show in the country and some of the largest and most elaborate exhibits and consumer activations in the industry. EM was there to bring you the highlights.