The 2007 NAIAS in Detroit did not have as much sparkle as the previous years. Indeed, there were no mind-blowing launches and certainly no heart-stopping vehicles.
True, a few concepts managed to turn heads. The Holden Efigy, from GM's Australian division, was one of them.
Personally, I fell in love with the Chevy Volt, a sort of hybrid car that, according to Canadian auto analyst Dennis DesRosiers, is GM's way of answering to Toyota: "See what we can do?"
But you've got to admit: when your favorite car at the Detroit Auto Show is an environmental concept such as the Volt, it means that next year's new products won't be as exciting as those of the previous years.
Is the auto industry taking a break to catch its breath -- or is it losing steam?
One thing's for sure: Nissan, who used to introduce a number of new models and concepts, had only two vehicles to unveil this time around -- the Rogue, which will replace our X-Trail, as well as an ugly prototype called the Bevel.
The new Ford Focus is another disappointing car (see other article). I also did not like the styling of the new Chrysler/Dodge minivans. This is strange because their designer, Montreal's Ralph Gilles, had promised to transform the whole "minivan" into a sexy vehicle... If he couldn't do it, no one else can.
However, the design has been compromised for a good cause: the "swivel" option, which morphs the interior into a dining room, should prove to be a huge hit.
And since both GM and Ford have dropped out of the minivan race (say goodbye to the Freestar, Uplander and Montana), the Chrysler Group should be able to maintain their success in this market segment.
After all, the Dodge Caravan accounts for no less than a third of all the automaker's sales in Canada...
True, a few concepts managed to turn heads. The Holden Efigy, from GM's Australian division, was one of them.
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| Chevrolet Volt |
But you've got to admit: when your favorite car at the Detroit Auto Show is an environmental concept such as the Volt, it means that next year's new products won't be as exciting as those of the previous years.
Is the auto industry taking a break to catch its breath -- or is it losing steam?
One thing's for sure: Nissan, who used to introduce a number of new models and concepts, had only two vehicles to unveil this time around -- the Rogue, which will replace our X-Trail, as well as an ugly prototype called the Bevel.
 |
| 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan |
However, the design has been compromised for a good cause: the "swivel" option, which morphs the interior into a dining room, should prove to be a huge hit.
And since both GM and Ford have dropped out of the minivan race (say goodbye to the Freestar, Uplander and Montana), the Chrysler Group should be able to maintain their success in this market segment.
After all, the Dodge Caravan accounts for no less than a third of all the automaker's sales in Canada...