Auto Shows (Page 50)

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2012 just completed two full days of exciting new-vehicle introductions and upbeat press conferences signaling an enthusiasm not seen in the auto industry for a few years.

Kubang, that is... The first Maserati SUV aptly named Kubang, Italian for SUV has been highly anticipated since rumors surfaced, in Ferrari’s and Alfa Romeo’s case, as far back as 5 years ago of an Italian SUV.

Lincoln has long been Ford's luxury brand, whose checkered past success and failure has been as colorful as the president it was named after. Lately, the brand has been lackluster, stealing design elements from Ford's other products. Today, Ford is emphasizing Lincoln at the North American International Auto Show with a new flagship: the MKZ Concept.

No wonder the parking was so bad around Cobo Center in Detroit. It seemed the entire world of journalists came to witness the largest set of unveilings at the NAIAS 2012 Press Preview.

Hyundai has dropped a bit of a curveball on the auto industry today, because it announced that its Sonata Hybrid will come with a Lifetime Battery Replacement Guarantee. This is a first guarantee of this kind and could potentially have big implications.

CODA Automotive, the newest US-based EV company, becomes the first-in-class manufacturer to provide two mileage range options. The news was previously embargoed until the NAIAS 2012 Press Preview.

The Lexus LF-LC 2+2 sports coupe hybrid concept was revealed today with the requisite degree of fanfare by Mark Templin, Group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division, Toyota Motor Sales.

If you have been waiting for Volkswagen to combine the Beetle with Electricity, your wait is over. Today at North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) Volkswagen debut the new “E-Bugster” concept.

This year, the NAIAS pick for Truck of the Year is the Range Rover Evoque, a small, but capable and luxurious little SUV that began production in July, 2011. The win marks another upset in this usually American-dominated segment and award, though, interestingly, none of the Big 3 U.S. automakers was even on the competition's list for 2012.

The compact sedan market has become one of the most vital vehicle classes to the automakers doing business in North America and with the introduction of the 2013 Dodge Dart, the Chrysler Group will finally have a car that could be a major player in that segment – with a price of $15,995 making it less expensive than the bestselling models in that class.

The first Korean electric vehicle is going to have its North American debut tomorrow. Two things are surprising about that. It's not the Korean company you think and the debut location is not at the North American International Auto Show.

Coming to showrooms late this summer, the BMW M5 in its 2013 rendition unveiled at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show today. The North American version of this classic sedan will include a 6-speed manual transmission option rather than the 7-speed M-DCT dual clutch offered in Europe.

Later today in Joe Louis Arena in Detroit as part of the 2012 North American International Auto Show, Ford Motor Company will unveil the entirely-new 2013 Ford Fusion - a car that will raise the bar for the midsized sedan segment with a level of luxury and fuel economy that has never before been seen in this segment.

Cadillac has unveiled the 2013 Cadillac ATS Sedan one day ahead of the 2012 Detroit Auto Show and it appears to have unleashed a beast when it comes to power and weight.

The North American International Auto Show is entering its 24th year as an international event, and an entourage of national and state elected government officials will visit on various days throughout the preview events, including four members of President Barack Obama's Cabinet.

The 2013 Dodge Dart is expected to make its grand debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show tomorrow in Detroit but as has become the big trend this year – images and videos showing the sporty new C segment sedan have slipped onto the internet ahead of the big debut.

In case you haven’t noticed, changes in automotive marketing have been affecting auto shows worldwide by morphing for quite a few years now. Questions are, how much, how deep and will they forever change the traditional NAIAS press days as well as other auto unvelings?

In addition to Ford CEO Allen Mulally participating at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, Ford will make a major unveil regarding its Ford Sync AppLink, Ford’s industry-exclusive in-car, voice-controlled connectivity system for smartphone apps.

We have expected for some time now that the new Cadillac ATS, the Caddy slated to be General Motors’ new BMW 3-Series fighter, would be coming to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show but we have now learned that the new midsized sedan will actually make its grand debut online on Sunday, the night before the Motor City show opens to the media.

The 2012 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) is going to surprise with more European cars, made by American carmakers as the Ford Fusion and its European version Mondeo will be made on both sides of the Atlantic. The Dodge (Chrysler) Dart takes its design from an Italian base.

When the North American International Auto Show kicks off this week, a 4,500 square-foot exhibit by BASF, in room D2-15, will showcase products like all plastic wheels, plastics so heat resistant they can be used in engine parts and other wonders of their surprisingly effective application of chemistry to the production of better, lighter cars.

In case you haven’t noticed, web developers have moved away from internet development and shifted their efforts toward app development for smartphones and tablets, including OnStar. That explains why those that follow the NAIAS 2012 and CES 2012 say this will be a growth year for app development with automakers overseeing their selections.

For the first time, Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, will deliver a keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which is fast becoming an alternate stage to the Detroit Auto Show.

Since Fiat has taken majority control of the Chrysler Group from the US Government there hasn’t been much talk of Chrysler ownership but with the upcoming 2013 Dodge Dart reportedly hitting 40 miles per gallon in preliminary testing late last month – Fiat has met the final requirement set forth by the feds when Fiat purchased the first piece of the American automaker in 2009.

Porsche AG announced this morning that they will use the 2012 North American International Auto Show next week in Detroit to formally introduce the new 2012 Porsche 911 Cabrio.

There are unique aspects to every major auto show, especially hype which is ever present during press days; so the NAIAS 2012 will be no different. However, be prepared for more coverage by TorqueNews this year from press day events on design and technology.

While the Audi A6 won the EyesOn Design Award for production and Porsche 918 RSR for the concept category last year, the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) once again will bring a team of designers to choose an award solely on styling