Detroit Auto Show 2009
We were speculating exactly what to expect out for the auto show this year. With the credit woes and the domestic auto makers on life support. No bling, no goodies, etc. As we thought - the show was quite pared down. Nissan and several other companies backed out and the last moment as well, opening up alot of space on the main floor.
Several Chinese manufacturers moved up to the big time with the vacancy, showing off their Chinese market models. BYD ( Build Your Dreams) and Brilliance Auto stepped up to the plate somewhat hastily and showed off several of their domestic models. Brilliance Auto bought defunct Rover a while back and basically carted the entire factories and machines back to China from their English homeland. A quick restart and rebadge and Viola! Brilliance Auto has a whole model line up. Both companies will need to do ALOT more homework before they are US bound.
BYD showed off a Electric Gas hybrid that supposedly will beat the Chevy Volt to the punch. I do not think anyone was taking the car seriously. It would not be the first time an automaker has overstated a claim at the autoshow. [ More later...] BYD took the effort to produce a flashy video playing on large Screens. A bizarre little number. All narrated in perfect English..... yet complete jibberish. I could not understand how anyone who could speak English that well could speak complete nonsense.
A friend pointed out that they probably used a slick computer translator - then the EngGrish all made sense. "Powerful standing, technology so high, your way this car!" It was funny actually. Somebody should have done them a favor and yanked the plug on the TV.
There were some good cars to see however. Last year I fell in love with the Cadillac CTS coupe, GM followed up this year with the Converj Concept. The idea was to take the rather expensive Chey volt chassis and put it on something GM can actually sell fo some $$. A nice concept with the passing look of an exotic. Hopefully they will make it.
Audi definitely took the show this year with their sportback concept. I think you are looking at their next A7 or A8. Beautifully done. The rear end of the car is HOT! Sorta like an old Opel manta?
VW debuted their BlueSport, A mid-engine 2 seater featuring a high output diesel in the back. The concept has the hottest dash buttons I have seen. I did not get pics, but the buttons make me want the car.. totally.
Some other concepts including one from Lincoln, Volvo and Huyndai
Biggest Bull of the year
I think Chrysler takes the cake this year for portraying fiction as fact. Last year I complained that their electric concepts were completely not serious and strictly plastic, foam and lip service. But what a whole year can do! Now that the company is on death row and seriously in risk of implosion, NOW they think EV's are the real deal. So while Gm is spending a few Bizillion making a special platform for their 40 mile electric-only hybrid and in danger of tripping over the challenges posed by the task... Chysler this year announced that they are also coming out with some hybrids and they are really really serious about Electric vehicles. So apparently all it takes is a bit of paint and slapping an electric motor in a couple of your existing vehicles and there you have it! Easy! They are claiming the same performance numbers as GM as well. I read somewhere this whole newfound EV nuttiness is all for the consumption of potential buyers for the company. All crap.
More pics on Flickr
Monday, January 26, 2009
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