It’s the time of the year when everyone throws open houses to gather friends, families, associates, acquaintances and virtually anyone whom you want to build a long lasting relationship. Some do it big, some do it small (some are even rumored to “pay” for guests to visit) but one event particularly stands out because, had the organisers not imposed some limit, the entire Malaysian population might just show up.
The Volkswagen Das Auto Show 2012, the 2nd of its kind ever organized in Malaysia sees people from all walks of life visiting to:-
1) To see the new Beetle (in which the article reviewing it can be found HERE)
2) To see other Volkswagen vehicles
3) To experience the entertainment show they have in store for everyone
4) To wash their eyes of all the beautiful usher ladies
Those who went there thinking to test drive VW cars …. sorry to disappoint you but there isn’t any …. which is not entirely unexpected considering the show is held at the heart of Kuala Lumpur City: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. It doesn’t get any more up-market than to hold an event here and compared to last year’s event, this year was done a whole lot more profesisonally.
For those who attended last year’s Das Auto in Bukit Jalil, you might recall the grueling queuing up under the hot son only to discover, 3 hours later when you reach the front that you can still make it for the 300-persons-per-show … just that your slot is another 4 hours later. The organisers tried their best to manage the crowd but when word went out of free food, hot chicks and hot cars, the whole kampung naturally turns out in droves. It didn’t help that after being ushered into a dome where various models drive in circles around you for a few minutes, you enter a vehicle display area where the only interaction you can have with the cars is to smile pictures with them, away from a platform where the cars are placed and locked. You not allowed to step on that platform, much less open and see the insides of the car. Oh great, 7 hours outside and now you’re supposed to look cute in front of the cars that you like? You’re then required to exit at the back, at a small door like some waiter going out of duty and you get stamped to say you’ve been in there (for what purpose, I have no idea since you’re not likely to go out and queue again). No test drives nor any outside activities were arranged despite the stadium having a huge parking area.
And so it was good of VW to pick up and learn from their past mistakes and adopt the following changes:-
- Only pre-registered with tickets are allowed entry. Good way to manage crowds
- Double the number of pax per show from 300 to 650
- Bring in overseas VW teams who are more experienced in organizing mega shows (rumor has it that the team responsible this time around is from China)
- Have a larger vehicle display area where you can molest all the models to your heart’s content (well, except for 2 other models not sold; the Golf Cabriolet and the Phaeton)
The result? Das Perfekt
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Don’t let the relative crowd in the picture above fool you … a whole load of people stands at the end of this hallway and behind me
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Das Icons of Malaysia …. I was kinda hoping to see a picture of the square-pyramid-banana-leaf-mamak packaging nasi lemak which is just as iconic as the Beetle for Malaysians …. come to think of it, a picture of said nasi lemak with a 1st gen Beetle looks like a perfect match.
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Oh look …. people! Lots of them …. those on the right are queuing up for their picture to be taken in the Beetle Box which I didn’t so I can’t show you what’s the result of the shot. It was good that VW organised some activities to keep those waiting occupied.
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The theme for this year’s Das Auto is very clearly about the Bug and visitors gets treated with displays of the first generation Beetle parts that makes you wonder if you’ve stepped into an automotive museum
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The Das Auto Show is made up of 8 shows per day from 8-9 September, each show taking 1 hour. Doors open 30 minutes before the show begins and once the doors shut and the show starts, late entries will not be entertained.
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We were then ushered into a hall with seats that accommodate at least 650 people. 5 projectors does the work of providing background visual effects. Now, when can I set up something like this back home and watch the ultimate widescreen TV?
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And like any Das Auto Show, it’s packed to the brim. I didn’t realise there was a sweet couple staring back at me as I stood up to take this shot. Here’s thumbs up to you too!
And boy, it sure is a show to remember!
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Lights and sounds aplenty; although I recorded the show, I didn’t think it was right to post it up like some pirated movie maker. This show is best sampled live!
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Unlike the previous show where the projectors were tasked to show a moving landscape, this year you get a full 3D stage with Beetles zooming in and out of your vision as if you’re hallucinating
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I doubt there was anyone who isn’t dazzled and mesmerized by the performance given during this event. While I can certainly appreciate having the Beetle taking center stage, the fact that it’s ONLY the Beetle on stage kinda makes it a Das Beetle Show instead of an all models encompassing show.
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Once the show was over, we were asked to enter Hall 6 where lots of eye candy on 4 wheels awaited us
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I counted 4 models that were not launched in Malaysia (yet) that can be seen here:-
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The Amarok (Pick-up)
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The VW Multivan
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The Golf Cabriolet
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And the most expensive, luxury VW …. the Phaeton which, unfortunately I missed shooting being too engrossed with the Beetle. I am guessing there are some others but didn’t have enough time to cover everything.
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There were lots of activities for the family and merchandising of accessories were done here
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All in all, a much better show compared to 2011 ….. can’t wait for 2013!
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