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Detroit Auto Show


Detroit 2010 Preview: good news for fans of the smelly basement forest

The Detroit Auto Show, known officially as the North American International Auto Show, is always the biggest car show of the year. In 2009, though, the event wasn't quite as busy or as populated as it's been in past years. The whole down economy thing - plus problems with the venue - played a role in the downsizing, but organizers of the 2010 event are starting to hint that the next show will be bigger and better than 2009. The Detroit News is saying that some automakers that skipped the show in 2009 - Ferrari, Land Rover and Nissan - ... Read more →

At Witz' End: Detroit Auto Show: Reality Check - Part II Gary Witzenburg

In my first column reality checking the Detroit Auto Show, some of you questioned my assertion that even Toyota's relatively high-volume hybrids are probably not profitable. Of course, Toyota has ...

At Witz' End: Detroit Auto Show: Reality Check - Part I Gary Witzenburg

This year's Detroit North American International Auto Show (aka NAIAS) was easily the greenest ever, greener even than the evergreen Los Angeles show two months earlier. Several automakers (most ...

BMW X6 ActiveHybrid to arrive by year's end Frank Filipponio

One of the vehicles we expected to see in Detroit somehow missed our radar. The not-so-green BMW X6 ActiveHybrid was previewed in COBO and we somehow missed it. Sure we've seen pics of this sports ...

Detroit 2009: E85-powered Mustang, the HP2g, gearing up for the Auto X Prize Sebastian Blanco

Down in the basement (the smelly, smelly basement) of Cobo Hall at the Detroit Auto Show, we found Doug Pelmear and Jennifer Rodgers. They were sitting next to a car we didn't expect to see at ...

Detroit 2009: Henrik Fisker talks about the future of the Karma, and a low-cost model 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

When we sat down with Henrik Fisker during the Detroit Auto Show, he acknowledged that many people didn't think his company would return for a second year. But, as we all saw, the company did return, and did so with a bang with the unveiling of the Karma S hardtop convertible. Braving the ...

Detroit 2009: Automotive X Prize status report 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

It wasn't all flashy new cars during the media days at the Detroit Auto Show last week. During our time in Cobo Hall, we sat down with Cristin Lindsay, senior director of the Progressive Auto X Prize, to talk about where the AXP is right now. For those keeping track, we are about half-way between ...

Detroit 2009: College for Creative Studies students reimagine the car 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Vehicle models designed by students at the College For Creative Studies are on display at Cobo Hall as part of the Detroit Auto Show this year. Fanciful and outlandish, these models give an idea of what the automobile of the future could be like. That vehicle above, for example, is a redesigned ...

Detroit 2009: Fuel cells, a "promising solution," come to Cobo Hall 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Even though the SAE World Congress last year featured a seminar titled, "The Problems of Fuel Cell Commercialization," the SAE is putting a positive spin on fuel cells for the public at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Tomorrow, for example, the SAE International's A World In Motion program will ...

Most important vehicle of 2009 Detroit show? I pick the Focus EV mule 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

There's been a lot of discussion in recent days about which debut was the most significant vehicle of this year's Detroit Auto Show. Most of the attention is, of course, paid to the new third-generation Toyota Prius or the Honda Insight. While both of these are important in their own way, I ...

Detroit 2009: AutoblogGreen readers pick this year's best car 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

There are hundreds of vehicles on display at the Detroit Auto Show this year. Most of them were vehicles from past years, things we've all seen plenty of times. During our coverage of the new vehicles unveiled during the media preview days this past week, we hunted for everything that smelled even ...

VIDEO: Henrik Fisker talks about the Karma 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Following the unveiling of the production version of the Fisker Karma and the Karma Sunset concept, Henrik Fisker sat down to talk about the car company he has launched. We now have confirmation of some of the technical details such as the battery supplier which is Advanced Lithium Power. ...

Detroit 2009: more details on the smart ed's 2010 US introduction 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

The last time we talked to SmartUSA president David Schembri, the topic was all about the fortwo in the U.S., both electric drive and standard. During the hectic press preview days at this year's Detroit Auto Show, we found a few minutes to speak once again with Schembri, this time focusing on ...

VIDEO: Designing the Chrysler 200C EV 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Chrysler made quite a splash with its surprise unveiling last Sunday of their classy-looking 200C EV. The range-extended electric drive vehicle is capable of 40 gas-free miles and seemed a cut or two above most of their current line up - it also revealed that Chrysler still has some talented ...

Detroit 2009: Johnson Controls shows off re3 concept 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Johnson Controls is a name familiar to many in the automotive world as a Tier 1 supplier of parts - usually interior bits like seats and electronic gadgetry - to automakers all over the world. In an effort to show off some of the company's latest bits and pieces, a complete concept car called ...

ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule [w/VIDEO] 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

As Ford was getting ready to make its big announcement this week in Detroit that it would build and sell a battery electric car beginning in 2011, I got a call asking if I'd like to come down and drive one of the development "mules." Being loathe to reject such opportunities, we immediately ...

Volt chief engineer still thinks hydrogen is the long term answer 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

In recent years, Nick Zielinski has led the powertrain engineering teams on a number of GM advanced technology programs including the Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicle and the Sequel concept. For the past two years, his focus has shifted to making the Chevrolet Volt a reality. The common thread ...

Detroit 2009: Cadillac Converj, Audi Sportback win Eyes on Design Awards 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

The Cadillac Converj is currently winning the AutoblogGreen reader poll of the best car from the Detroit Auto Show (but only by two votes, the new Honda Insight is right behind). Seems like you all share tastes with the judges for this year's Eyes on Design Awards, which picked the Converj as ...

Detroit 2009: the ugliest Tesla Roadster you've ever seen 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

There is a Tesla Roadster in the Tesla Motor booth at the Detroit Auto Show this year, but you've all seen that car a gazillion times by now. And, since it'll be awful hard to beat those gorgeous pics of the orange model, we decided to skip the shiny red model on display here. Instead, our green ...

Detroit 2009: Top ten green cars of the show 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

After three days of running around Cobo Hall snapping photos, asking questions and banging out posts, it's time for a review of what we thought were the top green cars of the show. The financial meltdown of the last few months meant that a number of automakers took a pass on this year's show. For ...

Detroit 2009: Tesla talks Model S, Daimler deal and Roadster production update 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

We posted earlier today about what Tesla Motors' CEO Elon Musk told us about the Model S and the deal with Daimler for the smart ed. Musk spoke at the Tesla Motors during a press conference here at the Detroit Auto Showthis afternoon and gave a little more information that's worth sharing. ...

Detroit 2009: Michigan EcoXperience turns Cobo Hall into surrealsville [w/VIDEO] 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

There is a special smell coming up from the basement of Cobo Hall. We're not sure which combination of chemicals and fakery makes up the distinctive odor, but we know that it's the fault of the "Michigan EcoXperience," aka the forest in the basement. To spare you the wrinkled nose hairs - and ...

Detroit 2009: Tesla CEO drops a few more hints on the Model S 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

During his keynote speech to the Society of Automotive Analysts Outlook conference in Detroit this morning, Tesla CEO Elon Musk also dropped a few hints about the Model S. Most of the work on the Model S is on hold until Tesla gets its house in better financial shape, but some continues. During the ...

Saturn Vue Hybrids, Harley Tri Glide trikes, to lead Presidential Inauguration 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Warning: What you are about to read is not in the least bit environmentally friendly... yet, here we are anyway. Apparently, an epic convoy is set to lead the Presidential Inauguration, which is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, one week from today. At around noon, President-elect Obama will utter ...

Detroit 2009: BYD's plug-in hybrids, the F3DM and F6DM 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Apparently, "unveiled" was the wrong word. BYD's F3DM plug-in hybrid has been on sale in China for a few weeks and here in Detroit it was just sitting quietly on the stand on the main floor. No press conference, no attractive ladies standing around; just the car. In this case, a car might be ...

Detroit 2009: All Fords to eventually get auto start stop 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Automatic start-stop systems are becoming increasingly common in Europe where many non-hybrid cars are equipped with the relatively inexpensive systems that shut down the engine to prevent idling. However, here in the US, only hybrids have that capability. At an event with some Ford executives ...

Tesla confirms smart ed battery supply deal 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/autos/Tesla_Motors_will_provide_batteries_for_electric_smart_cars'; The rumors were true. At the Society of Automotive Analysts outlook conference this morning, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that his company will supply lithium ion battery packs and charging ...

Detroit 2009: Concept C, the smallest Lincoln ever 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Prior to the holidays, Ford invited members of the media to Dearborn to see many of the products that would be debuting at the Detroit Auto Show this week including the new Taurus, GT500 and Lincoln MKT. However, they kept a few things back to surprise us at the Show. Among those were the Focus ...

NYT drives electric Ford Focus mule 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

While it took months for GM to let the media drive its Volt mule, Ford has wasted no time in giving Bill Vlasic of the New York Times a chance to try out its own all-electric Ford Focus-based prototype. The company just announced the existence of the vehicle a few days ago. Accompanied by Ford's ...

Detroit 2009: What's the best of the show? 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

The reveals are done, a lot of journalists and car reps are headed home, and you've (hopefully) had time to digest the cars and information we've been introduced to. This means, naturally, that it's time to try and figure out which cars won and which ones were just too lame/crazy/unrealistic for ...

Detroit 2009: Volvo S60 Concept introduces 4-cylinder EcoBoost 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Volvo rolled out a new concept sedan here that previews the next generation of its mid-size S60 sedan. The swoopy sedan has almost coupe-like proportions with its flowing back-light and curves that a 240 fan would never recognize as a Volvo. Most important is what's under the hood. The 1.6L ...

Detroit 2009: Toyota FT-EV on the stand 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

We were introduced to the FT-EV, Toyota's surprise battery-powered Detroit Auto Show vehicle, the other day - but only via official press photos. We've now had a chance to check out the shiny decorations on the FT-EV here in Cobo Hall and can bring you some pics of the electric city car. This ...

Detroit 2009: Audi introduces 39 mpg Sportback concept [w/VIDEO] 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Audi took the wraps off a new concept in Detroit that presages the upcoming A7 coupe/sedan that will be joining the lineup in the next year or so. The Sportback concept is a low slung four door in the manner of cars like the Mercedes CLS and is sized similarly to the existing A6 sedan. Besides ...

The 2010 Honda Insight shows you its moves 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Now that you've had a chance to read all about our time with the fun-to-drive 2010 version of the Honda Insight and browse through the photo galleries, we can now offer you the opportunity to see this fuel-sippin' hybrid in motion. Yes, the Honda-supplied footage of their latest pride and joy is ...

Detroit 2009: GM to build world's largest battery lab 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

Along with GM's announcement that it will build a battery pack assembly factory in Michigan later this year, CEO Rick Wagoner also announced that a new battery lab will be built in Michigan. At 31,000 sq ft, the lab will be the largest advanced battery testing facility in the world. According to ...

Detroit 2009: Fisker Karma S hardtop convertible unleashed 9 months ago on Autoblog Green

We came, we saw, we Karma'd. The Fisker Karma S concept convertible was unveiled this afternoon (after being very veiled earlier) and we like what we see. The new hardtop convertible shares the mustachioed front and four seats with its now-standard brother. More importantly, the same plug-in ...

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