By George B. Eichorn of the Detroit Monitor

 

   The show must go on – even in the toughest of economic times in Detroit and Michigan. For the 21st consecutive year, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit is still taking its rightful place as a premier international showcase of man and his auto.

   “The NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, people and ideas that matter most – up close and in one place,” said Rod Alberts, executive director of the NAIAS.

   Despite terrible recent auto sales and the big loan required for GM and Chrysler from the U.S. government, the Detroit Auto Show is still one of the largest media events in North America. In fact, the NAIAS is the only auto show in the USA to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world.

   Action started at Cobo last Sunday, January 11, with the first of three days of press previews. Then came the annual industry preview days on January 14-15. The big NAIAS Charity Preview is Friday, January 16, starting at 5:30 p.m. and the doors open for the 2009 public show starting Saturday, January 17. The show ends January 25.

   Auto manufacturers with scheduled press conferences at Cobo included Audi, Bentley, BMW, Brilliance, BYD of China, Chrysler, Fisker, Ford, General Motors, Jaguar, Kia, Lamborghini, Lincoln-Mercury, Maserati, MINI, Saturn, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota , Volkswagen and Volvo.

  Other companies with press briefings included Alpha Romeo, Alpine, Denso, Johnson Controls, Michelin, Revenge Designs.

  There are plenty of international and North American debuts at Cobo. General Motors and Smart will use the NAIAS 2009 stage for the North American debut of a number of new production models that made their world premiere at the 2008 Paris show.

   GM will show the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, Chevrolet Cruze small car and the Chevrolet Orlando concept. Smart will display the electric ForTwo. GM unveiled the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon and the Chevrolet Cruze small car in Paris because they will soon go on sale in Europe.

  A station wagon version of the Cadillac CTS goes on sale in Europe and the U.S. in the spring. It features the same styling as the CTS and shares its underpinnings but features 25 cubic feet of space behind the rear doors. Engine choices are a base 263-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 and an optional 304-horsepower direct-injection version of the same engine.

   The Chevrolet Cruze will be built and sold in more than 100 countries worldwide. The five-passenger subcompact — smaller than the Cobalt — first goes on sale in Europe in March. The U.S. version, to be built in Lordstown, Ohio, follows later as a replacement for the Chevrolet Cobalt.

   GM also unveiled the Chevrolet Orlando people-mover concept shown in Paris. The small, seven-passenger multipurpose vehicle could eventually be added to Chevrolet’s line.

   Smart division displays its electric-powered ForTwo it is working on and showed in Paris. Smart plans to equip the electric ForTwo with advanced lithium-ion batteries.

   Chevrolet and Kia are two other automakers revealing global debuts for NAIAS 2009. Chevrolet will premiere the 2010 Equinox and Kia will take the wraps off a new concept. The new Equinox is a compact crossover that GM boasts likely will deliver best-in-class fuel economy when it goes on sale in mid-2009.

   Completely redesigned inside and out, the Equinox also can be loaded with all kinds of technological features.

   Kia kept secret until its NAIAS 2009 press conference the name and details of its concept yet sketches indicate the concept is intended to demonstrate the flexibility of the newly introduced 2010 Kia Soul, originally shown in concept form at NAIAS 2006.

   Another press preview days highlight is the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year honors. “Vehicles are honored for setting new standards and new benchmarks in their class,” said Alberts. “Top criteria in the competition are value for the dollar and affordability. Vehicles also are judged on general design, safety, fuel economy, handling and general road worthiness, performance, comfort, assembly quality, functionality, technical innovation, driver satisfaction and price.”

   Finalists for Car of the Year award were the Ford Flex, Hyundai Genesis and Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Finalists for the Truck of the Year award were the Dodge Ram, Ford F-150 and the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC. Some 50 journalists served as jurors and voted, ranking the finalists. Winners were announced at the show’s first press conference January 11 and they are the Car of the Year Genesis and Truck of the Year F-150.

  WDIV, Local 4, will increase its live coverage of the North American International Auto Show 2009. Specials and live news broadcast reports dominate Local 4 day and night as anchors Carmen Harlan, Devin Scillian, Rhonda Walker and Guy Gordon report along with numerous reporters such as auto beat reporter Rod Meloni.

  Local 4 was live during press days as they will be for the Charity Preview in one of Detroit’s most anticipated nights. The Friday TV special airs at 7 p.m., taking viewers inside with a two-hour primetime special, “4 From The Floor: The 2009 NAIAS Charity Preview.” The special is hosted by the aforementioned anchors plus Chuck Gaidica and Karen Drew.

  Watch for special appearances by Jeff Daniels, a Michigan native, “Ross The Intern” from “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and “Late Night” host Conan O’Brien in segments taped from his visit to the Auto Show floor.

  The telecast also includes interviews with top auto industry executives, a look at some of this year’s most impressive vehicles, and the ultimate buyer’s guide to purchasing a new car in these tough economic times.

  On Local 4 this Saturday, January 17, 7 p.m., “Auto Show All Access: Weekend Opener” offers tips to prepare for their trip down to the Auto Show. WDIV promises an “inside scoop” on the must-see vehicles and displays, event tickets and parking, and interviews. Coverage can also be found on Local 4′s website, ClickOnDetroit.com.

   Local radio stations such as WJR-AM 760 and WWJ-AM 950 will broadcast shows live from the show floor during portions of the NAIAS. Check your local listings. Show trivia: Ron Cameron’s “Sportstalk” on then-WXYZ-AM and Frank Beckmann’s “SportsWrap” on WJR were the first two live sports call-in shows from the Auto Show in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.

   Ticket information can be obtained at naias.com or just pay at the door at Cobo. The fees are adult $12, seniors (65 and older) $6 and children 7-12 $6. Children 6 and under are free when accompanied by their parent or guardian. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (no admittance after 9 p.m.) on January 17-24 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (no admittance after 6 p.m.) on January 25.

   Detroit Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson will be appearing in the State Farm Insurance Booth located in the Cobo Center Concourse on Sunday, January 18, 2009 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 p.m.

   Martin George contributed to this story. Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com.

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