| Concept cars, or cars designed according to a certain | | | | manufacturers. These car shows alone save the |
| theme or older model, are by and large prototypes | | | | manufacturer several million dollars. Just knowing that a |
| introduced at car and motor shows to estimate | | | | car is not deemed acceptable or needs a few |
| consumer response and appeal. | | | | modifications before going to production. |
| Combining the best of modern technology with the | | | | The majority of concept cars seen at auto exhibitions |
| sleek lines of tried and time-tested cars from the past, | | | | such as the Geneva Motor Show are the dream rides |
| concept cars are often tentative feelers put out by | | | | of automobile fans and racing enthusiasts, but are |
| automobile companies to test the waters before | | | | more often than not only show models made of wax, |
| 'diving' into serious production. | | | | clay, metal, fibreglass and plastic. In fact many concept |
| The automobile industry being a multi billion dollar | | | | cars never even reach this phase due to impractical |
| industry, car manufactures alike see the benefit of | | | | design glitches and price factors. |
| these widely attended car shows. The manufactures | | | | An interesting example of an old, functional concept |
| have an opportunity to gleam a great deal of valuable | | | | car being brought back into service would be the 1954 |
| information from these shows at a relatively low cost. | | | | Ford Lincoln Futura, which after having been stored in |
| Concept cars were first introduced by designer Harley | | | | the North Hollywood car shop of George Barris came |
| Earl of General Motors in the 1950s. It was for the | | | | out of storage to stand up to stardom as the |
| concept of a car that offered buyers state-of-the-art | | | | Batmobile of the 1966 Batman series on the ABC TV |
| motor car engineering in a new design which was | | | | Network. |
| really a version of a senior theme. This gained almost | | | | On the same note, current examples for concept cars |
| instant popularity with the universal public. | | | | would be the Mercedes-Benz bionic car (this is said to |
| Recognizing a winning horse when they saw one, | | | | mix the best of nature, engineering and the ever |
| General Motors further publicized the concept and their | | | | popular DaimlerCrysler engine), the 2006 BMW Mille |
| car, through its traveling Motorama shows of that | | | | Miglia concept coupe (based on the earlier BMW 328 |
| period. Beautiful to behold, concept cars show off | | | | Traveling coupe and the BMW Z4 M coupe), the |
| radical, futuristic designs, powerful engines and | | | | Camaro Concept sports coupe (which follows the lines |
| sometimes even controversial technology. | | | | of the first Camaros) and the Chrysler Imperial |
| However, alluring as these concept cars may appear | | | | Concept 2006 (a direct descendent of classic Imperial |
| under the spotlight, many of them often obtain | | | | and Chrysler designs). |
| changes before being put on the production line by | | | | Sadly, the bulk of concept cars are destroyed once |
| their manufacturers, and all of them are subjected to | | | | their use has been served. However, some do escape |
| alterations that make them more suitable, and | | | | the crusher and continue to live their lives in storage or |
| affordable, to their target markets. | | | | on exhibit in automobile museums. |
| An from the eyes of the public these changes to the | | | | The information that is gathered by manufacturers |
| car are often very drastic changes. This of course, is | | | | from these car shows is proven to be a method of |
| after the study of the data from these shows. Which | | | | great value. |
| again as become a valuable asset to the car | | | | |