The organizers of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) did their best to stir up excitement on the first day of the show which started last Sunday, January 11th, unveiling the winners of the North American car and truck awards of the year – the Hyundai Genesis and the Ford F-150.
Car manufacturers usually unveil new models in Detroit, but only a handful of new launches are expected this year. Instead, US manufacturers are focused on survival – General Motors, Chrysler and Ford have reduced their presence at the show. Japanese companies, including Nissan and Mitsubishi, will not be exhibiting in Detroit at all this year, while many of Europe’s high-end producers, including Porsche, Ferrari and Rolls-Royce, have cancelled their appearance. The missing companies pulled out of the event to save cash in order to outlast the economic slump.
The past year saw a global reduction in auto sales. The Detroit Three – General Motors, Ford and Chrysler LLC — which have long wallowed in financial troubles and edged towards the brink of bankruptcy, have suffered most.
After having enjoyed a brief moment of record selling of vehicles in January, 2008, GM, for example, has ever since experienced a free fall in sales and profits, which led it to a government bailout.
Despite all the dreadful news for the industry, NAIAS 2009 may be seen as a trend setter for the future of car making as it features a number of debuted hybrid and electrical cars from most of the participating automakers, in an answer to calls for producing eco-friendly vehicles.
On the opening day of the show in Detroit’s famous COBO Center, which will run through January 25th, more than 6,000 journalists from around the world huddled around the main floor to witness GM’s rolling out 17 new and upcoming cars and crossovers – including four global premieres.
According to NAIAS sources, eighteen manufacturers and industry press conferences were scheduled throughout last Sunday. NAIAS 2009 features eighty exhibitors and introduces nearly 50 new models.
Two of China’s auto companies BYD and Brilliant Car, also displayed their new products, including some green cars, on the main floor for the first time.
2009 Hyundai Genesis
2009 Ford F-150
Source: news.xinhuanet.com and license.icopyright.net
Related posts:
- Ferrari debuts California at the LA Auto Show
- Pininfarina family sells stake of company
- Review: 2009 Ferrari California
0 Responses
Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.