NAIAS Report: Ford and Chrysler

The 2010 North American International Auto Show was a watershed moment in time for Ford. Riding high on American pride and optimism, the one major American manufacturer that didn't need a bailout or bankruptcy protection in '09 started the show in Detroit by sweeping the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid beat out the VW Golf Mk6 and Buick LaCrosse for the car award, while the 2010 Ford Transit Connect compact commercial van beat the Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Outback in the truck category. It was only the third time in the award's history that a single manufacturer has taken both honors. To note, Honda did so in 2006 with the Civic and Ridgeline and GM did it in 2007 with the Saturn Aura and Chevy Silverado.

One look at Ford's massive, enclosed display said it all. The thing bathed the showgoer in a softly glowing shade of Ford pride blue. Henry's surname was to be found on every wall, in every corner of what looked like you had entered into a totally different, if not entirely well-organized, building. Ford's display was by far the most impressive among all the manufacturers and it exuded confidence.

2010 NAIAS Report: Chevrolet and GMC

A few days ago, I reported on the showing Buick and Cadillac made at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. Now, it's Chevrolet's and GMC's turns.

This year at the NAIAS, Chevrolet's big announcement had to do with a small car: the Aveo RS concept, to be precise.

It was impressive. Considering the vehicle it's replacing, though, impressive isn't a very high bar to clear. The current Aveo actually began life in 2002 as the Daewoo Kalos. When GM scooped up Daewoo, amidst a massive financial/CEO embezzlement crisis in 2003, the Italdesign Giugiaro-penned Kalos was a decent product. For the 2004 model year, Chevy decided to plug the subcompact hole in its American product line by putting a new front fascia on the Korean-made sedan and 5-door hatch and selling them in America as the Aveo we've all come to know and...well...

Offering the new small car in America also meant that, when it came time to replace the ancient Cavalier, GM could move its replacement, the Cobalt, up in price and therefore make a better profit margin from it.