Did anybody else feel like this was the quietest NAIS in some time? Not just on the Camaro front, but other than the CTS Coupe, I can't really think of anything that came out of it that I thought was exciting from any manufacturer. Some good technology announcements and a nice win for Malibu as the NA car of the year, but no "gotta have it" cars that were actually "revealed" at the show. The ZR1 is incredible, but wasn't a surprise by any means!

 

It seemed like the show was all Cadillac, which was cool, but what about the other GM Divisions. What happened to the Hummer H4?

 

I felt that the auto show was a little bit of a let down going into press day 1. Then when I was told that the CTS Coupe would be shown, it heightened my excitement. I knew GM had something up its sleeve, but was not sure exactly what it was.

To be 100% honest and not just being a GM "fanboy." The CTS Coupe is worth the price of admission alone.

Also something I found interesting. The Volt didn't make an appearance on the show floor until the third media day. I'm guessing it's because of space limitations and once GM tore down their stage it made room for the Volt on the floor.

 

ZR1
CTS coupe
CTS-V
Cadillac Prevoq
Saturn concept was kind of weird

Ford had some nice stuff

 

All of these, other than the saturn, perhaps, were shown online either in official previews or embargo breaks or leaks prior to the show press previews on Sunday.

Note I said "Cars revealed at the show."

There was no "Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!" moments. It was all pretty much what was expected. A surprise would have been nice.

 

*Edit* Eric beat me.

That is the problem with all the intenet "leaks". The actual unveilings are anti-climactic. You've already seen everything from days to weeks before the show. As mentioned above, GM had plenty of exciting vehicles but we saw all of them in advance, except the CTS coupe.

 

YES. This was a lacluster event IMO.
No huge surprises, and worse yet - nothing "remarkable".

I sure hope some of these companies held back a card or two to play at upcoming shows in New York and overseas.

You could tell it was quiet - even on this very board. Look at how many bland mid-stream cars and crossovers we have been chatting about in the last 2 weeks.

 

so is the GTO dead or what??

 

I see what you mean, there was some great cars there but CTS coupe was the only real surprise. I got a feeling this is what the future hold for all future auto shows thanks to the Internet.

 

This was the opinion of most of us in the press center as well. Hell, there were only two days of press conferences this year, where as last year, things ran strong until noon on the third day (this year, the only PR events on the third day were held by some suppliers and race series).

From what is known right now, don't expect anything big at the next two US shows in Chicago and New York.

Much of the problem is that the Big Six kinda blew their collective wad in the past two years. What remains is not nearly enough to fill five shows (the major four US ones + the big rotating international show).

 

Know what would have made me shoot a wad this year?

For Ford...
* Announce the reintroduction of the Marauder (done right, with 400+ hp and 450tq so writers could kill rear tires and write about it)
* Announce the production of the GR1 as a new 3-year flagship
* Announce the Bronco is going to be produced.

For GM...
* Announce Camaro is coming out 6 months early (holy chit would THAT set the news agencies on fire! )
* Produce a more retro Chevelle for the show circuit, and tease the crowd about Sigma.
* Anything cool with a Pontiac badge on it.

For Chrysler..
* Hell, just show me ANYTHING with "Jeep" on it shaped other than a box with 4-doors.
* Hell, just show me ANYTHING with Dodge on it that doesn't look like it's a restomod.
* Hell, just show me a Viper that doesn't look like an original from 1992 at 50 feet away.

Was that too much to ask for a car show of this magnitude on the home-field?

 

i was real disappointed in the chrysler display. they didnt have anything there worth looking at other than the srt10 viper. they shouldve shown the new challenger. I mean come on, theyre sriving them around now without camo, yet they wont bring one to the detroit auto show? what were they thinking

 

Good call!