That'll Fix It: NY Auto Show models reportedly getting heckled by bailout detractors
For as long as auto shows have been a showplace for the latest and greatest cars and trucks, there have been attractive models hired to stand by the vehicles. The models answer questions from patrons and extol the virtues of the product, but almost never participate in the design, engineering or manufacturing of said vehicle. Try telling that to a few rogue show-goers at the New York Auto Show that insist on heckling models working for GM and Chrysler.
It seems some members of the public are none too pleased about the government loans, and since they have no access to GM and Chrysler executives, they're taking out their frustrations on the models instead. The "representatives" have little to say in response to the jabs, considering that they're mainly contractors being paid to be positive, nail their script and move on to other projects after the show.
An accountant from Queens asked the model manning the Dodge Circuit stand "How come you've got to nearly go bankrupt before you come out with a car like this?" Another show-goer went as far as to tell the model at the General Motors booth that GM was responsible for the deaths of soldiers in Iraq since the struggling automaker doesn't make fuel efficient products. Wow.
Needless to say, the models had nothing to do with the government loans given to GM and Chrysler. That's like blaming the teller at your neighborhood bank for the hundreds of billions of dollars given to the banking industry.
[Source: New York Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
matt 9:37AM (4/15/2009)
I am not opposed to the federal government subsidizing my jerk material.
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Rob 10:05AM (4/15/2009)
I am. I'm sure many "patriotic" models would be willing to do this "free" just to get publicity. There is no reason to pay models for this.
Also, while the comments were incredibly stupid, it is NOT like yelling at your bank teller. If you went into the dealer and yelled at them, that would be similar, but these were public figures in a prominent position to represent GM at a public convention. Hence the heckling.
Personally I think GM should crash and burn, and rebuild itself in a few years.
kimosen 10:25AM (4/15/2009)
Looks like we've found one of the autoshow hecklers, right here, on Autoblog!
Rob - you're so wrong that it blows my mind.
Do you honestly believe that models and presenters should give their services for FREE just because they "love the cars" so much?
Would you work at YOUR job for free just because you loved your employer so much? I highly doubt it. And if you said, "yes" to that, it's because you're an idiot.
These models and presenters, as the article stated, have absolutely zero to do with General Motors or Chrysler. What they represent is that which comes out of their mouths. Words.
Not bailouts.
That's what the lawyers are for.
And they definitely don't work for free.
Get a grip.
matt 10:28AM (4/15/2009)
rob: you obviously have no idea what constitutes as a proper forum for voicing grievances.
Rob 10:50AM (4/15/2009)
No, I am not one of the hecklers. I'm just saying that unlike a bank teller, the models were at a PUBLIC convention, representing the company in question.
And yes, I do think many models would do something like this FOR NOTHING, purely for the exposure. It is NOT a year round job, and many of them would GLADLY take a high profile gig like this, for absolutely nothing. Would they prefer to be paid? Sure. But there are many that would do this free, for the publicity, and to help the country's biggest employer by spending a few hours of their time doing something without pay.
If you really think that NO hot models would do this without pay, you don't know many models. Models do all sorts of things to get ahead in the world, that doesn't involve money. :)
Epyx 10:55AM (4/15/2009)
"And yes, I do think many models would do something like this FOR NOTHING, purely for the exposure. It is NOT a year round job, and many of them would GLADLY take a high profile gig like this, for absolutely nothing. Would they prefer to be paid? Sure. But there are many that would do this free, for the publicity"
This is exactly why they are supported by a Guild (just as actors are) to avoid the inevitable of having free labor in these industries.
Sea Urchin 11:10AM (4/15/2009)
I'd yell if i had the guts. But i'd mostly yell at the dumb executives...........sadly Wagoner is now in Aruba on a private yacht.
artso06 12:11PM (4/15/2009)
Rob - Sorry models don't work for free if they have to memorize lines and stand to represent the company. Also the reason why there paid is to insure that the company has control over what they say or how they act.
Exposure? I don't think working an auto show gets you a movie contract.
In the real world nobody works for free if your skills are worth getting paid for (unless its volunteering, thats whole different ball game and i don't think these models are volunteers).
Side note...all the workers are paid at this show. Right down to the guys on the floor and NONE of them really know anything about the cars (there are the few that do) except for what they are told. Its almost to the point were its frustrating to have a serious convo about a car at one of these shows
PumaGTO 12:17PM (4/15/2009)
Never thought I would say that, but this time I agree with Sea Urchin. If you want to yell at someone, yell at the executives. Leave the girls alone, they´re just there to make us drool and check their cars.
Rob 1:22PM (4/15/2009)
Artso: I would agree if it were other companies, but I'm sure there are more than a few thousand people in this country who sympathize and stand behind GM, and would be willing to work FREE to feel like they are helping a good cause.
Berto 3:56PM (4/15/2009)
Wow, Sea Urchin has a point I agree with.
I know some girls who do this. It's a tough job and its not something any of you would do for free.
artso06 11:30PM (4/15/2009)
Rob - Good luck finding attractive women then
dukeisduke 9:37AM (4/15/2009)
"Go away, or I'll put a stiletto up your rectum, worm."
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garlinski 9:42AM (4/15/2009)
people can be REALLY dumb... i can't even think of a response other than that for these idiots.
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mapoftazifosho 9:45AM (4/15/2009)
Where do these uneducated degenerates come from?
jc 9:58AM (4/15/2009)
That's left wing extremism.
dwaltr 10:03AM (4/15/2009)
JC, your exactly right. Way to many wacko's on both sides.
Rev 10:19AM (4/15/2009)
True dat, JC. If it was right-wing extremism this incident would have probably just involved one crazy sheepling with a gun, desperately clutching his crayon-scrawled manifesto as he takes down several innocent victims until law enforcement finally puts him down.
His final words, "Rush said you wuz goan take muh guns. Damn socialists..."
Frank 11:26AM (4/15/2009)
@Rev Total bullcrap. Just remember the the uni-bomber owned a copy of Al Gore's "Earth in the Balance". I've never seen an leftist invited to a college campus pelted with object by crazy "right-wingers", but I've seen it happen with conservatives. A wack job is wack job period.
jg 11:45AM (4/15/2009)
And I thought this was a girls of the Autoshow post. Where's my NY Autoshow girls post?