Show tells a tale of continuing US recovery
Atmosphere is upbeat in Detroit as carmakers plan launch of many new models
Detroit Signs that the auto industry recovery is likely to continue this year are everywhere at the North American International Auto Show — massive two-storey video screens, dozens of futuristic concept and previously unseen vehicles and thousands of car parts suppliers and vendors.
The industry's biggest annual confab opening today looks to be glitzier and larger than in many years, driven by rising auto sales and financially healthier manufacturers.
Nissan Motor Co, for example, is back after a three-year absence. The company plans to show off the direction it is taking with the next generation of its Pathfinder sport-utility vehicle.
"It has to do with the economy, there is no doubt," said Rod Alberts, executive director of the industry gathering, also known as the Detroit auto show.
The hometown auto companies are on a roll. The three big Detroit carmakers all logged double-digit sales growth last year, helping to fuel a 10.3 per cent increase in the auto industry's US sales to 12.8 million vehicles, its best since 2008.
This year's show is expected to be notable for debuts of new versions of the Ford Fusion and the Honda Accord, two of the biggest sellers in the family car market.
Italian flair
There also will be the return of the Dodge Dart, the famous Chrysler Group nameplate last offered in 1976. This time it will have an Italian flair. The new Dart is based on the architecture of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Italian automaker Fiat owns Alfa Romeo and holds a controlling interest in Chrysler. Luxury brands also will be making important market and styling statements at the show.
General Motors Co's Cadillac division will unveil its new ATS sports sedan — the car it hopes will take on the BMW 3 series, the perennial leader in that market.
Lexus, the luxury arm of Toyota Motor Corp., will show off its LF-LC, a highly styled concept of an advanced hybrid sports coupe.
Designed by Toyota's Calty Design Research studio in Newport Beach, the car is an example of the new styling direction of Lexus as it tries to put zip back in cars that at times have been criticised for conservative styling. "This car symbolises that next step, our passion for automobiles and where we want to go with Lexus." said Kevin Hunter, president of the design studio.
"We want to be more bold." He called it "sexy and aggressive" but noted that the vehicle is a design study and that there is no commitment to bring it into production.
