Mot's blog

North American International Auto Show








We returned to Detroit this year for our 11th yearly trek to NAIAS. It is always interesting to compare the yearly show with the past shows. The car maker's budgets for the show are obviously not what they used to be 5 years ago, but overall, i think this year's show was pretty good. Maybe the difference is that the domestic makers are focusing less on showmanship and more on better cars. This year's show had many manufacturer's bringing their ideas for greener vehicles to the public. Both in actual production intent vehicles, along with the usual flashy show cars that represent nothing more than the plastic and foam they are made of. It is always fun to look at them and try to pick ones that may actually find their way to production. The past focus on trucks seems to have finally died down thankfully. But it is hard not to be skeptical of the new green focus. One Dodge concept display introduction that I managed to catch had the spokeswomen spend several minutes touting performance and technology figures for a concept model that was nothing more than vaporware, only to end the introduction stating the manufacturer has no plans to produce the car. Nice. Yet other concepts clearly appeared to have production intent behind the styling.





Cadillac has definitely been on a roll the past couple of years. It is good to see them keeping the momentum up. I think the CTS coupe was the best car at the show this year. Finally focusing on design and detail as opposed to bloat and size. This car is set for production this summer [?] and i think will be very popular. It will probably be up against the lower offerings from BMW, Audi and Lexus. It makes them all look frumpy in comparison.


Another concept Cadillac brought to the show was the Provoq. While the drive train sounded a little far off, I think the car itself is slated for production in one form or another. Its a great design and I think it is based on the recent GM small CUV platform [ Saturn VUE] that has gotten alot of really good reviews. Hopefully they will get it to market soon. It makes the new BMW X6 [ which i really like] look old.



Saturn brought this concept to the show. It was definitely vaporware, but the rear gull wings hatch was fun to look at.





Audi brought a diesel version of their R8 sports car to the show. A very striking vehicle.




The Mini booth is always abuzz with hipters and DJ's spinning music. This year was no exception. Since the premier of the mini itself, BMW has been trying to figure out how to grow the offerings. SO hence the Mini Clubman. It is a three door stretch of the mini. I am not sure what mini people think of it - but I hate it. I think it is fugly and pretty uninspired.



Gm brought the Buick Riveria concept from their Chinese design studios. A beautiful concept. More importantly, a very interesting symbol of globalization. Buick's US sales have withered quite a bit in the US, yet sales in China keep growing. So watching the focus of the Buick brand slowy shift to it's new found home is interesting. This concept was produced for Chinese consumption. The US was the afterthought. I would dare to say the GM China wants this car built. It could probably find a home on the Corvette / Cadillac XLR chassis or perhaps the upcoming camaro platform. It could be a natural progression for Buick in China but i am not sure it would find a home on Buick's american market. It will be an interesting watch.






This was the Chrysler EcoVoyager concept. Sorta an evolution of the Minvan? I guess if you just tack the word ECO on a car concept - it turns environmentaly friendly. The concept was strictly a plastic idea and has no linkage to anything the company is currently producing. I have several more pics of it in the photo collection of the show. Very beautiful.







This concept was at the Ford Booth. It was an interesting reversal of the above examples. While it was very much a plastic concept. The styling is part of Ford's efforts to unify their global design language. So i think you are looking an accurate glimpse at Fords future.



These Gm concepts returned from last year. Originally pitched as a customer contest to chose one idea, i think they were part of GM's look back at the base offerings [ Chevy Aevo ] from Korea with the idea of getting an Scion buzz put on them. I think the Beat in the foreground was the top pick with customers. GM recently said they are looking to possibly start offering small premium cars [ ie Mini Coopers..] so this may also be now indicative of that effort now. The current chevo Aveo could easily be reskinned in any of these .





NO vaporware here! This is Honda's Hydrogen fueled Clarity. they are planning to lease them in Southern California this summer[?] The low production test vehicles are rumored to cost $$$$$$$$$$ but Honda will lease them for about $600 to qualified customers. A great car, it was getting alot of attention. What was NOT getting attention was something I think is much more important.



This is a home hydrogen fuel cell / generator Honda [may?] be selling with the Clarity. This small machine runs on natural gas and creates hydrogen for your car. But it also produces electricity for your home more efficiently than running power 5 miles from the power plant. Oh yeah - it also produces hot water to heat you home. If they can get these babies into widespread use, it could change alot with how we heat and light our houses. GO Honda! i want one!

More pictures of the show on Flickr!