Pan Hulot – konstruktor i wynalazca pracujący w jednej z paryskich firm – zostaje wydelegowany na coroczną wystawę samochodów w Amsterdamie. Hulot ma za zadanie zaprezentować najnowszy prototyp małego samochodu kempingowego, wyposażonego w wiele mniej lub bardziej potrzebnych gadżetów. W promocji auta ma mu pomóc Maria - młoda Amerykanka odpowiedzialna za „public relations”. Pech jednak chce, że ciężarówka, którą podróżują, ulega awarii w szczerym polu.
Błyskotliwy wynalazca zamierza zrewolucjonizować świat motoryzacji, projektując samochód przyszłości.
Automotive designers compete to build the ultimate car and earn the title of "Motor City Master".
The two-part documentary “Automania” unfolds the history of the automobile as a relationship between man and machine. The car: drug, technical wonder, object of desire. Like hardly any other machine, the car is more than that. It is loved, cherished and cared for, protected and used for self-expression. At the same time, it is a sign of economic prosperity: whoever drives a (certain) car has made something of himself. And what applies individually also applies to societies: The car creates jobs and prosperity. But the dream relationship that lasted for 100 years has fallen into crisis. The films tell in an entertaining, moody and emotional way about the rise of the car to become an icon of the West and suggest future prospects. The films combine factual informations with nostalgically colourful memories of eyewitnesses. In addition, there are statements by experts as well as politicians and business representatives.
