The atmosphere at the New York auto show has shifted this year for troubled U.S. automakers General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC, some presenters said.

What is normally a friendly coming out party for an ogling public has been turned by sometimes bitter give-and-take between presenters and their audiences, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

Accountant Donald Han from New York asked a presenter next to an electric-powered Dodge Circuit, Why now?

How come you've got to go nearly bankrupt before you come out with a car like this? he asked.

One presenter told the Times a woman in the crowd blamed the company for the deaths of soldiers in Iraq, explaining car companies that push gas-guzzlers were responsible for the U.S. dependence in foreign oil.

I try to explain that we're not involved in corporate decisions, so complaining to us doesn't really make a lot of sense, GM presenter Kerri Moss said to the newspaper. If that doesn't work, I tell them we're doing the best we can.

The presenter confronted by the woman said she didn't say anything in return.

What can you possibly say? 'Thanks?' the presenter, who withheld her name, told the Times.