Well, no one was really expecting a huge showing from the Big Three, but it's the absence of several of the Asian automakers that will really make this year's show seem slow. With nothing from Acura, Hyundai, Infiniti, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan or Suzuki, the show schedule is a little light. Much of the void will be sucked up by some major debuts by Honda and Toyota along with a few interesting additions from Kia and Subaru for good measure.
According to Japan's Nikkei business daily, Suzuki has delayed its upcoming midsize sedan. Originally planned for a 2010 release, the new four-door is delayed indefinitely as the Asian car company deals with the worldwide automotive meltdown.
Previewed by the Kizashi 3 concept shown in New York last year, the new four-door was designed to near Suzuki into the same arena as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Not exactly an cushy segment, but Suzuki promised a V6 as big as 3.6-liters and possibly even all-wheel drive. Combined with a promising exterior shape, the new family sedan seemed like a solid entry for the company known more for its low-end econoboxes.
Nikkei via Reuters
Images from the JDM-spec Honda Insight brochure have popped up over at Temple of VTEC (here), a Honda/Acura fan site. In addition, there's a video that shows the Insight as it progressed from the concept to what will go on sale.
Chevy will debut an all-new 2010 Equinox CUV at the upcoming NAIAS. The vehicle will be acquirable with either a 2.4L, 182 hp, 4-cylinder model; or a 3.0 V6 putting out 255 hp. Both models have direct injection, will be acquirable in either FWD or AWD, and will be coupled to a 6-speed automatic.
The vehicle looks good and the spec sheet is pretty impressive. The question is, can Chevrolet convince customers cross-shopping the CR-V, RAV4 and Escape to pick this new Equinox over those models?
Other than his support for Amtrak, and an apparently good relationship with teamsters and transportation unions, Republican Ray LaHood is pretty much an unknown quantity when it comes to motor vehicles and the related issues that he will have to deal with. Quiped David Doniger, a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council: "We should ask what's under LaHood?"
So was this appointment by the President-Elect merely an olive branch offered to Republicans, or does this guy have the right stuff to do this job?
Here's Green Car Advisor's take: Obama's Transportation Nominee LaHood Largely A Blank Slate on Key Issues
Chalk it up as being one more victim of the lousy economy. Acura has canceled plans for the front-engined V10 supercar. Look for Honda/Acura to place far more focus in hybrids, rather than horsepower in the future.
Here's Inside Line's take: Honda Cancels 2010 Acura NSX
Well, this is good news. Subaru, unlike many other automakers, is not bailing from the 2009 NAIAS. In fact they will have a new concept to be displayed.
My guess is that it will be a close-to-production–much like several recent Honda and Acura concepts (Pilot, Ridgeline, TL, etc.)–2010 Legacy or Outback. The last time these models were introduced, back in 2004, the Legacy was introduced first at Detroit with the Outback being announced a month later at Chicago. I suspect that will be the case again this time.
2009 Honda Insight Hybrid
2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid
– The Mechanic, Inside Line Contributor
Honda has released an image of the production version of their Prius-fighter, the Insight hybrid.
Some may say it's a Prius rip-off, and that's cool. I don't think so. Regardless it's still better looking than the Prius. I predict Honda has another hit on their hands here–if they can convince people to buy cars once again.
Here's Green Car Advisor's take: Honda Releases Premier Photo of All-New Production-Version 2009 Insight Hybrid
Ford and GM may have paired up down in the nation's capitol, but in the showrooms they're going at it as if there's no tomorrow–hey, maybe there won't be a tomorrow for one or both! At any rate, the new Mustang base model starts at $21,845, whereas the base Camaro starts at $22,995.
It also just undercuts the new Dodge Challenger, which starts at $21,995. Winner Ford.
Here's Inside Line's take: Priced: 2010 Ford Mustang Undercuts Base 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
