Automotive Trends

     So Ford swept the awards clean off the deck, now prepare to get swept right off your feet by all the hot new metal rolling out of Detroit this year!

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Electricity Powers The Stars In Detroit

     From our vantage point it appears that Ford can do no wrong and for evidence of that claim we’d like to submit Exhibit A: Ford’s sweep of the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards. Absolutely nobody was surprised that the tech-heavy Fusion Hybrid wooed the judges, but the jaws of automotive journalists everywhere (not to mention GM Executives) hit the floor when Ford’s quirky little Transit Connect pulled off a stunning upset and beat out the Chevrolet Equinox for Truck of the Year. That’s right, the underpowered panel van from Europe beat out Chevrolet’s hot selling 32mpg Equinox, much to the delight of flower shop delivery guys everywhere. As Exhibit B we submit the 2011 Ford Focus. The days of building one Focus for America and another Focus for the rest of the world are over. This car was developed to be sold in more than 120 countries around the world with minimal differences and annual production north of 2 million units. A new Direct Injection 2.0-liter I4 and a selection of 6-speed transmissions will provide more power and improved fuel economy compared to the current Focus. Read more…

     Well, now that you are all amped up on the details of this year’s NAIAS, take a few moments to re-charge your battery with our electrifying photography! Ok, so maybe the electric puns are a gigabit too much. My solution: just enjoy the cars!!

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A Lot of Electric Vehicles Add A Little Spark to the NAIAS

    General Motors wanted everyone to know one thing when it kicked off the 2009 North American International Auto Show Sunday: they’re in it to win. A dramatically scaled down show display acknowledged the nearly fatal financial problems of the past year, but the product on display should convince even the most annoying Washington Bureaucrats (we’re looking at you Senator Shelby) that GM plans to win in every category it competes. Read more…

      Better grab a frosty beverage before you dive into this one. Our editors spent the day cruising down the length of Woodward to bring you this extensive gallery. This may be the town of Detroit Muscle, but everyone across the world has something to show off today.  Try not to drool on the keyboard this time. OK!

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      Now that Dye has dazzled you (or baffled you) with his brilliant commentary about this year’s NAIAS, click here for the real treat, the show in full color Muxlow photography!!

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New Pickups, Alternative Fuels and a Real Surprise In The Motor City

     Pickup sales may be slowing, but Ford and Dodge are still smart enough to know that if fuel efficiency can be increased American consumers will still pay up for the biggest and best on the block. Ford’s F-150 forgoes a power increase (probably a bad idea) in favor of several new innovations, including a retracting side step to access the bed without throwing ones back out.  Advancements in the hydroformed frame bump up torsional rigidity by 10% while a completely flat load floor makes for easier cargo carrying in the cabin. The interior designs stick with the same basic look but many details are polished up, including the availability of a next-gen nav system and a whole new flagship luxury model called Platinum. Will it be enough for Ford to retain the best selling pickup title? Read more…

Interceptor, Demon, Volt Show How Americans Could Launch an Assault

     I’ve always wanted to learn German for two reasons.
     One, it would slightly increase my chances of becoming a test driver for Porsche, giving me a shot at the coolest job on the planet. And two, I’d love to read what the Berlin newspapers wrote in 1945.

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Alas with the close of Day Two our work here is finished. But your enjoyment has just begun! Click into today’s gallery and prep yourself for your own trip down to COBO this weekend.

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Automakers Show Off Their New Hardware

    The second day of the Detroit Auto Show is usually reserved for the production vehicles that automakers will be betting the company on in the upcoming year and 2007 was no different. With the exception of Chrysler most of today’s big news was in the form of production, or thinly disguised production vehicles that we’re looking forward to getting out on the road in the upcoming year. Here’s our thoughts on some of today’s highlights. Read more…