2010 NAIAS Predictions
It’s 2010 – The Year we made Contact …hopefully this new alien technology will trickle down to car makers. With the 2010 North American International Auto Show kicking off next week (Monday, January 11th) we have a few predictions about what you are in for when global auto makers take over Detroit.
Domestic Cars
This year, Chrysler is pretty much tapped, without anything really headed for 2010 NAIAS booths. Does Chrysler-Fiat even have a booth at Detroit? Chevy will show off (yes, again) their Volt concept. We are also predicting a return of The Volt Dancers – because if there’s one thing PR people like to do, its beating a dead horse. Chevrolet also teased their Aveo RS for 2011. Ford will show off the Fiesta and probably an updated Taurus. In other words – if you went to Detroit in 2007 or 2008, you probably saw all the same American cars they’ll off this year.
International Models
From a Design standpoint – auto makers like Honda, BMW, Mercedes and Audi won’t surprise anyone at NAIAS 2010. But while the outside of these foreign autos haven’t changed too much, under the hood is an entirely different story. BMW, in particular, has their ActiveHybrid series – which is a “4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and hybrid electric motor.” Performance and eco-friendliness. It also costs over $100,000. Stay classy, BMW.
Trucks & SUV’s
Regardless of the fact that gasoline is still hovering around $3 a gallon in most states, this is still America! And we love our trucks. GMC, who somehow survived the automotive industry slash in this country, has a new Utility concept to show off, and pretty much everyone is bringing some sort of crossover (the new marketing term for SUV) to NAIAS’s floor. I wonder if Lincoln is still rocking the Navigator?
EV & Hybrid Vehicles
2010 can only promise more hybrid technology in Detroit. Chevy is bringing the Volt of course, the Equinox hybrid, Ford has Transit Connect and the fuel-efficient Fiesta. BMW, Audi and Toyota have all sorts or plug-in and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. For car fans who also love mother nature (aka, people from Vermont or California) this will be a fabulous event.
Oddball Technology
Between SMART and Think we’re expected to check out a slew of tiny-tiny autos. Think’s EV, the The Th!nk City, will be on display and attracting lots of green attention. No word on whether or not Honda will bring any of their robotic toys, like iReal or those weird leg things, to Detroit – but expect more strange gadgets than usual.
The Sources:
speedsportlife.com | americajr.com | bmwpedia | gmcpedia
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