Auto shows spark market interest
Last month, auto manufacturers showed off their wares at the International Auto Show in Detroit. In this country, that event grabs the fancy of car buffs and sparks the interest of potential buyers nationwide.
The extravaganza fills a 750,000-square-foot display hall with exciting products for the present and future auto marketplace. From new versions of familiar vehicles, to totally new concept vehicles, this venue is a launching pad for auto manufacturers’ latest innovations in design and technology. The media frenzy covering the event shows us what we can buy now, along with glimpses of tomorrow’s offerings.
The Detroit International Auto Show always ignites the marketplace. All of that attention to new vehicles, along with their new features, invariably has a need-to-buy effect on some of us. After Detroit’s big show, cities across the country follow suit.
Last week, the Spokane International Auto Show took place right here. Our version only fills up 100,000 square feet with metal, rubber, leather, and shiny paint, but it stirs the marketplace with excitement nonetheless. My experience tells me that during the post-show period, the car-buying bug will bite both attendees and non-attendees of this local event.
If you’ve been bitten, you’ll find an unprecedented range of products waiting. We, as consumers, have benefitted from the clamor for market share by both domestic and foreign manufacturers. The selection, quality, features, warranty, and price (value) available to us in various automobile lineups all have improved rapidly and steadily over the last few years.
New terminology has even been coined as a result of the advancements. Many now consider hybrid vehicles when shopping — vehicles that use a combination of power sources (usually gas and electricity) to propel themselves more efficiently. Those torn between a passenger car and an SUV can now choose a crossover model — one that shares good things from both categories.
If you’re shopping, here are some highlights from various car lines:
Crossover Vehicles
These cars blur the line between cars, vans and SUVs. The fist model I recall being categorized as such was Toyota’s RAV 4. This was a basic vehicle by today’s standards, and still can be had for under $20,000. Carmakers have a way of rapidly making models bigger and fancier, though, and the new models reflect that sentiment. Since the inauspicious beginnings of the RAV4, and Pontiac’s like-it-or-hate-it Aztec, buyers can now choose from many crossover models, including: Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, Mazda CX7, Infiniti X45, GMC Arcadia, Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave, and a rumored entry from Cadillac.
Sport Luxury
Certain SUVs are becoming luxurious. We’ve seen the glitz applied to SUV lines already in Cadillac’s super-deluxe Escalade, and Lincoln’s Navigator. Those are nice, but use truck-based styling. Now, with a vehicle such as Infiniti’s X45 AWD, a buyer can not only enjoy the utmost in luxury, but also revel in futuristic styling and the latest entertainment and communication technology. This one even has a big V-8, and sells for around $50,000.
Sporty
If it’s fun you seek, the new Red Line model of Saturn’s Sky convertible is worth a look. It’s a tweaked version of the previous Sky (and a near-clone of Pontiac’s Solstice GXP), faster, with more horsepower. Using a turbo and direct-injection, the Red Line squeezes 260 horsepower out of its 2.0 liter four-banger. The new model comes standard with stability control, 18-inch wheels, dual exhaust, and fun.
Subcompact
Daimler-Benz will debut the Smart next year, an economical subcompact to be sold through a new dealer network. One of the small-car originators, however, is bringing a new one to market right now — the Honda Fit. This is a tiny, economy car with a starting price under $14,000. Rated at 33/38, city/highway, the Fit is equipped with a 1.5 liter engine, and a 5-speed manual transmission (a 5-speed automatic transmission is optional).
Hot Rods
For those seeking good old American muscle, Detroit accommodates. Ford’s Shelby Mustang boasts around 500 horses — big bang for your buck. If price is no object, then the new Viper might be right up your race track — now with horsepower raised by 90 to a total of 600, this hot rod goes 0-60 under 4 seconds, and 0-100 then back to zero in about 12 seconds. Try that with your 1960s muscle car.
Trucks
The variety of trucks is endless, and imports are now increasing their slice of the market pie. Not to be outdone in size or strength, however, Ford has raised the bar of toughness with its revamped Super-Duty line. There’s an all-new diesel power plant, with models big and strong enough to move a house highlighting the lineup.
Whatever your needs and wants may be, something will fit — the manufacturers have covered all the bases, causing me, and others, to feel like kids in a candy store.