Matt Daniels

February 14, 2000

Audi Display Captures Chicago Auto Show Award

CHICAGO -- Chosen as the finest among a group of brilliant jewels, the Audi display at the 92nd Chicago Auto Show was judged the winner of the Award for Design Excellence. Now in its third year, the award is judged by the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects and honors the display which best exemplifies superiorexecution of exhibit design. The Chicago Automobile Trade Association, producers of the nation's largest auto show, instituted the award as an homage to the spirit of Chicago, universally acknowledged as the birthplace of modern architecture.

"Every year we view these magnificent displays it gets tougher to choose a winner," said James Jankowski, past president of the AIA Chicago. "But the Audi display was breathtaking in its ability to not only showcase the product, but to draw the crowd into the area. It's just stunning."

"The Audi display is light and airy with fiery orange tones offsetting a sea of hardwood flooring," said Chicago Auto Show Chairman Bill Stasek. "They didn't load the area up with cars for the sake of filling space, but rather chose to spread them out so that the potential customers who walk by could view the vehicles almost as art."

Jankowski said the panel of judges chose the Audi display because of its excellent fit of message, product and space; communication of dynamic motion and controlled speed; and the conscious effort to use space intelligently.

Three additional finalists were judged as exceptional: Oldsmobile, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Of Volkswagen, judges commented that it made the clearest circulation and display of products reinforced by floor materials and liked the corporate logo made out of Beetle trinkets.

The Oldsmobile exhibit tied in well with corporate logo, consistent with brand communication; that it was an ensemble that works together, with arching canvas calling attention to the display without shouting. They also said the best carpet in the show would pamper the feet of the more than 1 million visitors to the show.

The Volvo display exhibited mirrors softening the geometric look of Volvo cars. The judges also noted incredible attention to detail with the show's finest craftsmanship and reserved confidence.

Previous winners of the AIA Award for Design Excellence include Nissan in 1998 and Lincoln in 1999.

The Chicago Auto Show runs though Sunday, Feb. 20 and is open daily from 10 a.m. -- 10 p.m.

Rob O

Photos from <a href="http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vrshow/">The Chicago Auto Show</a>

<img src="http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vrshow/audi/ss13.jpg">

<img src="http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vrshow/audi/ss12.jpg">

<img src="http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vrshow/audi/ss7.jpg">

<img src="http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vrshow/audi/ss10.jpg">

Several more pics on their website...

<a href="http://131.107.68.28/a4.org/registry/details.asp?car=909"><img SRC="http://home.earthlink.net/~gofetch/images/sig.jpg" BORDER=1></a>

gdewitt

Re: Several more pics on their website... On whose Web site?

Jon

is that at that show, ALL the cars (S8, S4, S6, S3) were open to the public, nothing was missing (shift *****, etc) and the people were very nice and polite in waiting their turn.

Here in the US, the cars get locked (depends on the show) and the "special" cars are completely roped off (S4, above).

Jon
'96 A4qs

Chicago Joe

Do they have a VIP room?

Rob O

Here it is again: <a href="http://www.chicagoautoshow.com">Chicago Auto Show website</a>

<a href="http://131.107.68.28/a4.org/registry/details.asp?car=909"><img SRC="http://home.earthlink.net/~gofetch/images/sig.jpg" BORDER=1></a>

Jon

Yup. Upstairs, with a full spread (food, drink, etc)

JimV

Looks just like last years NYIAS display.

Chicago Joe

Maybe the lights were too bright or of an odd tone.