Yahoo Autos Subaru's Stand at the 2019 New York Auto Show Is the Most Subaru Thing We've Ever Seen
Subaru constructed a special booth at the 2019 New York auto show that's meant to emphasize the brand's outdoorsy image.
The National Parks–themed display includes kitschy references to landmarks such as Yellowstone's Old Faithful geyser.
The new 2020 Subaru Outback wagon that just made its debut is heavily featured.
Amid the flashy lights, glitzy displays, and shiny vehicles sprawled across New York City's Javits convention center for the 2019 New York auto show, one automaker created a contrarian booth with a decidedly earthy vibe. Yep, you guessed it-it was Subaru, who constructed an auto-show stand that made us feel like we were entering a forest, or at least a computerized simulation of one.
We have to admit that the smoke-and-mirrors show was impressively constructed. Walk through the log-cabin-style entry, and you're greeted by the sights, sounds, and smells of a forest getaway. A massive curved display projects forest images on the back wall, speakers flood the space with sounds of birds chirping, National Parks–style signage abounds, and various trees and plastic rocks are strewn about to complete the effect (don't worry, Subaru says it's all made from recycled or sustainable materials).
Stand attendants wander around in full park ranger–esque getup, including green vests and hiking boots, while "hikers" (read: paid actors) periodically put on cheesy scenes as if they themselves are experiencing the wonder of Yellowstone. Videos show the adventures of various Outback owners over the years while a sappy voice-over plays, and every so often there's a "geyser eruption" in which the new 2020 Outback emerges from a model of Yellowstone's Old Faithful. The company even planned a dog adoption event at the auto show in conjunction with the ASPCA, staging an array of pups at a separate display downstairs at the convention center to try to find homes for them.
Honestly, it's all a bit much if you ask us, but at least Subaru backs up all this corporate marketing with some real donations to charities supporting these various causes. The company says it has provided $20 million to the National Parks Foundation since 2013 and raised $2.9 million for the ASPCA in 2018 so . . . that's worth congratulating them for.
If you're planning to visit the New York auto show, which runs from April 19 through April 28, it's worth your time to stop by the Subaru booth to see all of this in action. Just prepare to be assaulted by more outdoorsy vibes than you'll know what to do with.
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