The North American International Auto Show in Detroit opens to the public on Jan. 16, but automakers will be showing off their goods to the media starting Monday at Cobo Center.
Detroit will be there, and we'll be following closely six story lines that should drive the 2010 show:
1. Electric charge: Small is the new big, green the new red
Expect the 2010 Detroit Auto Show to focus on environmentally-friendly vehicles and the continuing drive towards the electric automobile.
The Chevy Volt made waves at the 2009 show, and several automakers -- from Chrysler to BMW -- are planning to showcase their progress in the electric market this year.
2. Quiet Chrysler's loudest hit might be a Fiat
Chrysler is expect to show off an electric-version of the Fiat 500 in Detroit.A lot has changed since Chrysler herded a pack of cattle down the streets of Detroit during the 2008 auto show.After filing and emerging from bankruptcy in partnership with Fiat, Chrysler is expected dial it down several notches for the 2010 show, forgoing even a traditional press conference at the media preview.
While Chrysler will show off it's own line of electric vehicles, it's expected to display an electric version of the Fiat 500 too. While further away from market than Chrysler's in-house offerings, the tiny 500 is generating big buzz.
3. Warren Buffet-backed Chinese plug-in looks to take over the world
It's hard to read about the future of the automotive industry without seeing someone prognosticate that 2010 will usher in the decade of the Chinese Electric Car.
At least Billionaire investor Warren Buffet seems to be a believer, spending $230 million for a 10-percent ownership stake in Chinese-based BYD Auto, which began mass-producing a plug-in hybrid way back in 2008.
BYD plans on doubling its sales in 2010 and will compete for attention with the big boys at the Detroit Auto Show.
GM will debut the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe in Detroit.
4. Cadillac Coupe to out-muscle the Mustang
There's still room for muscle at the Detroit Auto Show, and Cadillac looks likely to be one of the big lifters.
General Motors is expected to debut the luxury two-door Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. Like the V-series Sedan, the Coupe boasts a 556-horsepower V-8 engine that, by comparison, makes the 411-horsepower Mustang GT look like a lightweight.5. Dow Chemical rocks down to Electric Avenue
While Electric Avenue -- a 37,000-square-foot area dedicated to showcasing the latest in electric vehicle technology -- will raise some eyebrows, many are wondering what to expect from its sponsor: Midland-based Dow Chemical Company.
The federal government earlier this year gave Dow Kokam, a join venture with a South-Korean battery manufacturer, a $161-million grant to develop new battery technology, some of which they'll hopefully display on Electric Avenue.
6. Tesla and Fisker steal some Big Three thunder
The Tesla Roadster SportWhile the Big Three continue to dominate the domestic auto market, California automakers Tesla and Fisker are making waves with powerful electric entries.A Tesla employee is currently driving an already-on-the market electric Roadster Sport from L.A. to Detroit, where the company could announce a battery partner for its upcoming Model S electric sedan.
But the Fisker Karma -- unveiled at the 2008 Detroit auto show and a huge hit again in 2009 -- could give Tesla a run for it's money in the electric sports car market if and when it hits the market later this year.
source: mlive
