Automakers seem to find any excuse to go green. In fact, when Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields detailed the company's new portfolio, he made sure to point out that the new 540-horsepower GT500 is 2 MPG more fuel efficient on the highway than the Mustang Shelby it replaces.
Of course, prestige brands also shifted to green. Upon introducing the new Bentley Continental GTC (over $200,000), Stuart McCullough, member of the Board in charge of Sales and Marketing, stated that the company will launch its first biofuel-enabled car later this year... all in the name of fuel efficiency.
Big voids to fill
The absence of major auto brands like Nissan, Infiniti, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, Ferrari and Porsche left an equally major mark on the NAIAS.
Historically, every single square meter at this event used to be worth more than a gallon of water in the desert. Now, things have dramatically changed. Exhibitors once relegated to the darkest corners of Michigan Hall (the underground floor at the Cobo Center) have been promoted to the main floor for everyone to see.
Empty spaces have also been filled by a bunch of newcomers that otherwise would have never been on display at the NAIAS. Names like Tesla, Morgan and Lotus, among others.
Let's not forget the Chinese brands, which also benefit from all the absentees this year. While they used to be found in the basement and adjoining halls at Cobo Center, BYD and Brilliance now have a stand on the main floor next to marquee players like GM, Subaru, Ford and Mazda. And to think products from China were ridiculed last year...
There was a big empty space between the stands of BYD and Brilliance, though. While organizers are hastily working to have a replacement by the start of the public show, this gaping void illustrated how the Detroit event took a major step backward this year.
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| Bentley Continental GTC Speed |
Of course, prestige brands also shifted to green. Upon introducing the new Bentley Continental GTC (over $200,000), Stuart McCullough, member of the Board in charge of Sales and Marketing, stated that the company will launch its first biofuel-enabled car later this year... all in the name of fuel efficiency.
Big voids to fill
The absence of major auto brands like Nissan, Infiniti, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, Ferrari and Porsche left an equally major mark on the NAIAS.
Historically, every single square meter at this event used to be worth more than a gallon of water in the desert. Now, things have dramatically changed. Exhibitors once relegated to the darkest corners of Michigan Hall (the underground floor at the Cobo Center) have been promoted to the main floor for everyone to see.
Empty spaces have also been filled by a bunch of newcomers that otherwise would have never been on display at the NAIAS. Names like Tesla, Morgan and Lotus, among others.
Let's not forget the Chinese brands, which also benefit from all the absentees this year. While they used to be found in the basement and adjoining halls at Cobo Center, BYD and Brilliance now have a stand on the main floor next to marquee players like GM, Subaru, Ford and Mazda. And to think products from China were ridiculed last year...
There was a big empty space between the stands of BYD and Brilliance, though. While organizers are hastily working to have a replacement by the start of the public show, this gaping void illustrated how the Detroit event took a major step backward this year.
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