Friday, January 15, 2010

North American International Auto Show

SEARCH BLOG: AUTOMOBILES and DETROIT

At least once a year, Detroit gets to shine... literally. That's when the North American International Auto Show returns with a dizzying array of practical, provocative, and phantasmagorical vehicles from manufacturers all over the world.

This year, along with the interest generated by electric vehicles and really slick small vehicles,

2012 Ford Focus - The Detroit News

the show is also benefitting from some very good weather. The nastiness that marked the first dozen days of the month has given way to a legitimate January thaw. That should bring out more people.

Automobile manufacturers are beginning to offer vehicles that seemed a long way off just a couple of years ago. The quality is terrific and the variety of styling and powertrains overflowing. The next few years should be banner years for the consumers. It's a long way removed from the bland looks and mediocre performance of past years. Even GM, the bastion of conservatism, is trying to break the old molds and with some success.

Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept - NAIAS

I'm not quite sure that the U.S. buying public is ready for this even if it does open up more parking spaces...

Commuter Cars Tango - NAIAS

No, the picture is not distorted. It really is a four-wheeled, enclosed motorcycle. But this may be what the U.S. government has in mind for you.

2012 IS GETTING CLOSER

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