What: New York International Auto Show

Where: Jacob Javits Convention Center

When: April 10-19

How Much: General admission $14, groups of 10 or more $12 each

How to get there:

Train (Amrak): About $170, round trip (Regional Transportation Center to Penn Station)

Plane (US Airways): $298, round trip (Hancock International to LaGuardia Airport)

Bus (Greyhound): $74, round trip (RTC to Penn Station)

Where to stay:

Best Western Convention Center Hotel

Comfort Inn – Midtown West/Convention Center

In the wake of General Motors announcing plans for bankruptcy, The New York International Auto Show, one of the best-attended auto shows in the country, held a journalist pre-show for new automotive models. It is another unsurprising development in the sad, bizarre saga of the automotive industry’s downturn: taxpayer-supported $40 billion bailouts, the worst U.S. car sales in 25 years and countless job layoffs.

But amidst the storm clouds of economic uncertainty and the crowds of automotive journalists searching for good news, there was a surprising blessing for Syracuse University students: Many automakers are unveiling student-friendly vehicles for the upcoming 2010 model year. The new models, revealed to a crowd of automotive journalists at the Jacob Javits Center on Wednesday, may give cash-strapped students and recent graduates the opportunity to buy a new car, even in the tough economy.

Ford and Kia both revealed student-friendly models at the show. The acclaimed Kia Soul retails at less than $14,000, under the tagline ‘a new way to roll.’ With a slick urban design and a highway rating of 31 miles per gallon, the Soul is being touted as a budget-friendly, economy-friendly option for students.

The Ford Fiesta was also made and marketed with young people in mind. The sporty, fuel-efficient subcompact includes features like push-button start, integrated Bluetooth and a USB port in the dashboard. Later this month in an innovative marketing campaign, Ford will loan 2010 Fiestas to 100 young drivers, who will report their impressions of the car on YouTube, Flickr and Twitter without Ford’s intervention.

Other choices for students include updates of older well-known models, like the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and fuel-efficient crossover vehicles, like the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the General Motors GMC Crossover SUV, which was introduced to heart-pounding heavy metal music.

Luxury vehicles were not in vogue this model year. Exotic manufacturers Lamborghini, Maserati and Ferrari were notably absent; a spokesperson from Porsche said the brand is facing its most severe crisis in years.

‘We know we still have a lot of work to do,’ said Susan Docherty, vice president for Buick, Pontiac and GMC.

Luckily for SU students, it appears that these changes will only work in their favor when it comes to buying a new sedan or SUV.

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Published on April 8, 2009 at 12:00 pm