AutoMK.com

Some of the less publicized events at a Frankfurt are the myriad of conferences and parties put on by manufacturers and suppliers at night after the show. We were lucky enough to catch invitations to GM's Premier Party where they unveiled the Opel Antara GTC concept. Of course, this was only one of a handful of similar events held by other manufacturers, but it was still a blast. It was an intimate setting to say the least at the Hockenheimer Depot north of the Frankfurt Messe convention center.

GM had placed several of their new vehicles outside the depot for examination. Note the glowing orbs, the theme would continue inside. The new Opel Vectra is sharp, and that goodness GM has the sense to bring a variant of it to the US. The Opel Signum also has potential in the US as some consumers look to wagons to wean themselves from SUV utility.

Once we confirmed the invitation and got passed security, we entered into the depot. A quick stop to offload our press kit laden bags at the coat check allowed us to examine the party atmosphere of the event.

Models wrapped in towels pass out press kits in the mock sauna, but with the venue packed with suited executives and sweaty autojournos the whole place felt like a sauna. That? nothing a little mineral water and a couple glasses of bubbly wouldn? solve. In all seriousness, we appreciate being part of this event. The Opel Antara GTC was quite a sight, especially after not seeing anything groundbreaking up until that point.