Category: Show Business
Posted by David Phillips on Fri, Jan 22, 2010 at 11:13 PMA few hidden gems off the show path
Just two full days remain to take in the 2010 North American International Auto Show. Amid the scores of new cars and crossovers and electric vehicles are a few hidden gems.
If you are heading out to the show today or Sunday, they are worth a visit.
If you wander to the back of the Mercedes-Benz display, you're in for a preview of the German automaker's future styling. The 2.5-ton resin sculpture is officially a design study, but some bloggers speculate it may preview the next-generation CLS. Mercedes officials are mum on the origins or intent of the sculpture, only to say it was created to reinforce the notion that a Mercedes often rises to that of "art."
At the Lincoln display there's a 1941 Lincoln Continental cabriolet once owned by Edsel Ford. It pays homage to Edsel's love for design.
It's on loan from the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, where it is part of an ongoing exhibition that celebrates Edsel Ford's early role in advancing auto design.
His father, Henry Ford, built the most popular car, but Edsel Ford once said he wanted to build the best car.
As the only child of Henry and Clara Ford, Edsel had the best seat in the house as the auto industry blossomed.
When he returned from a trip to Europe in the late 1930s, inspired by the continent's grand motoring cars, he asked Ford design chief Eugene T. Gregoire to create a one-off convertible.
Ford had already been responsible for sensational designs like the Lincoln Zephyr, the 1937 Ford and the debut of Mercury in 1939.
Gregoire responded with the 1941 Continental cabriolet on display at the show. It sold originally for $2,390.
Category: MINI
Posted by David Phillips on Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 4:40 PMNew Mini Countryman crossover makes early debut
It's no secret the Mini brand is about to expand with a crossover. The Beachcomber concept at the 2010 North American International Auto Show is the latest hint.
But when images of the new Countryman leaked over the Internet this week, Mini tipped its hat ahead of the micro sport ute's official debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Now we have official images and some product details.
Known as the Countryman - it may carry a different name in some markets - the first Mini crossover will be available in two trim levels - base and Cooper S.
The Countryman is a four seater, with a three-person, second-row bench seat available at no additional cost. The seating position is slightly higher than a standard Mini Cooper, improving access and visibility.
The top engine will be a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with BMW's twin-scroll turbo and direct fuel injection. It is rated at 184 horsepower. The transmission choices include a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.
All-wheel drive, named All 4 in Mini lingo, will be optional.
And in a nod to better fuel economy, Mini will equip the Countryman with regenerative braking, engine stop-start at idle, and on-demand use of accessories.
The Countryman, in true Mini inventiveness, will also feature a unique take on the longstanding center console.
The Mini "Center Rail" may be fitted with holders for entertainment and telecommunication devices, cupholders, a case for sunglasses ... as well as center armrests held safely and comfortably in position. The holders and storage bins placed on the center rail may then be moved forwards and backwards to any desired position.
Options include a panoramic moonroof, run-flat tires, adaptive headlights and a sport suspension that lowers the Countryman's ride height by nearly 0.5 inch.
It goes on sale this fall and joins a three-door hatch, convertible, and extended Clubman. A Mini roadster and coupe are also just around the corner.
Category: Public days
Posted by Mike Strong on Mon, Jan 18, 2010 at 5:24 PMFocus a big winner with public at show
Thousands of Metro Detroit residents took advantage of a weekday off because of the Martin Luther King holiday and flocked to the Detroit auto show today. The holiday is typically the busiest day of the show and many of the displays were overflowing with visitors.
While they had plenty of cars, crossovers and pickups to gaze at, most visitors were clearly impressed with Ford Motor Co.'s new vehicles.
The new 2012 Focus garnered quite a bit of praise, or at least the hatchback version of the European-based Focus did anyway.
"I like the color of the hatchback," said Maxine Lauer, president of Sphere Trending, a Waterford-based trend consulting company, who was walking the show floor. "It's a feminine, very romantic red. It's a beautiful color."
Less authoritative voices echoed similar views.
"It's really sharp. The candy apple red is awesome. I like it much better than the grey one," said Sterling Heights resident John Beck, who was at the show with his friend, Mark Krasnicki. "I claim it's research, but really it's a chance for us to get out and pal around and the cars are cool. We do it every year," he said.
Last week, the editors of AutoWeek magazine called the new Ford Focus the most significant vehicle at the show.
Others attending the show found stuff to enjoy beyond the Ford stand.
At the General Motors Co. exhibit, the Cadillac XTS show car and Buick Regal sport sedan drew attention. And as always, the lineup of sporty Chevrolet Corvettes, joined this year along a wall by the Camaro, drew admiration.
Matt Birk, a student at Kettering University in Flint, was prowling the show floor armed with a massive camera and a notebook. In his second year at Kettering, Birk has a 1997 Honda Prelude that he drives in autocrosses. He is also a member of the school's Formula SAE team.
Birk, who was looking at the Ford Fiesta, is a Honda devotee and was eager to get a close look at the new Honda CR-Z hybrid sport coupe.
"I want to rip into them," he said. "They made a new (CR-X), but it gets worse gas mileage than the original. I haven't made it over there yet though."
Showgoers flocked to the Mini display, as well, and enjoyed some rare vehicles, too.
"Ferrari. I loved the new Ferrari. And it was red, which is exactly what it should be," said Justin St. Peter, 13, of Sterling Heights, who was attending the show with a friend.
The North American International Auto Show runs through Sunday. It opens each day at 9 a.m. and is open until 10 p.m., with the exception of Jan. 24 - the last day of the show - when it closes at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.
Category: Show Business
Posted by Neal Rubin (The Detroit News) on Thu, Jan 14, 2010 at 3:26 PMBottoming out in the Cobo basement
The lower level at Cobo Center - the kiddie table of the auto show - is even more bleak than usual.
In the past, it's at least been a launching pad. Kia is among the carmakers who've worked their way up from the bottom, and this year, Michelin did the same.
Meanwhile, back down in the basement, most of the space has been given over to the EcoXperience, an indoor track offering slow-speed rides in assorted plug-in, fuel cell and gas-powered vehicles. Venting the exhaust fumes requires two outside doors to be open, creating a useful draft but also rendering the space as chilly as it is lonely.
A handful of exhibitors line one wall -- auto suppliers, Michigan Tech and the University of Michigan College of Engineering, something called Tardec.
At the far end, DTE Energy has a booth to "support the full-scale deployment of plug-in electric vehicles." In related news, Anheuser-Busch advocates drinking more beer.
Two more booths on the other side of the test track sit next to a food court where a place called Southwestern Sizzler sells a pre-made Italian hoagie for $6. Maybe it's from southwestern Italy. Fan Fare and the Gourmet Grill offer the identical sandwich at the same price, though at least you can't find it at Japanese Sushi.
I asked a woman in one of the small booths if she was lonely. "No," she said, "I'm cold."
Category: Show Business
Posted by Jenny King on Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 2:35 PMTransportation design students win spots at auto show
Five College for Creative Studies Transportation Design students will have their renderings for a futuristic electric vehicle and a tire-wheel assembly utilizing Michelin's active wheel technology on display at the Michelin stand at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.
The seniors were awarded scholarship assistance in December from Michelin through its 21st annual Michelin-College for Creative Studies (CCS) Design Competition. Michelin also sponsors the annual Michelin Challenge Design that attracts entries from established and aspiring designers around the world. The 2010 challenge theme is "Electrifying -Beautiful, Innovative and Radiant."
The Michelin stand at the Detroit show will feature scale models of winning designs plus renderings that include the work of the CCS students.
Pictured here is Philip Muscat of Milford, second-place winner for his exterior vehicle design. Jenny Kubinec of Windsor, Ontario, was also a second-place winner for her tire-wheel concept. Each received a $1,000 scholarship check at a reception at the Scarab Club in Detroit late last year.
Category: Show Business
Posted by Manny Lopez (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 8:05 PMFord, GM among Urban Wheel Awards winners
Ford, GM, Nissan, Fisker and Tesla have won Urban Wheel Awards, too.
Ford's Jim Farley accepted. Good to see top execs coming. It shows they truly are serious and appreciative.
Category: Show Business
Posted by Manny Lopez (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 8:05 PMFusion wins Urban Green Vehicle of the Year
The Urban Green Vehicle of the Year award finally was given to the Ford Fusion Hybrid.
It beat the VW Jetta TDI and Prius.
Category: Show Business
Posted by Manny Lopez (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 7:47 PMChrysler wins Diversity Leadership Award
Sen. Debbie Stabenow is on stage at the Urban Wheel Awards, dressed in dark blue glittery dress. Gov. Granholm is late and not here yet to present with Stabenow the Diversity Leadership Award.
Chrysler won.
Category: Show Business
Posted by Manny Lopez (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 7:27 PMUrban Wheel Awards show kicks off
LisaRaye McCoy is on stage kicking off the 14th Urban Wheel Awards, followed by Mayor Dave Bing who walked on stage to Kid Rock's "Detroit Party."
Yours truly is presenting the "Urban Green Vehicle of the Year Award" tonight.
Not sure what my walk-in tune will be. I'd like a little Carlos Santana, please.
Cool auto show freebies: Focus kit, lip balm, Michelin Man paperweights
The North American International Auto Show remains low-key this year given that few automakers are profitable and that auto sales remain low. But some are still giving out a few items.
Ford Motor Co. gave out replicas of the Ford Focus that had a memory stick inside with the press kit. Gone are the free beachballs and other auto show swag.
Toyota Motor Corp. handed out a bamboo-encased memory stick with all of its press releases. Michelin -- which sponsored the media room -- handed out paperweights of the Michelin Man reading a newspaper.
Acura served up an endless supply of espresso driniks to fortify weary reporters. In the media room, bailout blend coffee was served. Smart USA handed out lip balm made in Germany.
The Michigan Economic Development Corp. handed out boxed lunches -- ham, turkey or veggie -- with the MEDC's web address -- a welcome change. Yesterday, a dozen reporters attended a lunch with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that ran until after 2 p.m. and weren't served any food.
