DETROIT AUTO SHOW: What Company And Vehicles Will Be The Surprise Winners In 2009?

Aside from the Holidays, one of the best parts of this time of year is the start of the annual Auto Show Circuit.

Here in the US, there really are four major shows - Los Angeles, Detroit, New York and Chicago.  The major shows are the ones that see the introductions of new models along with concept cars intended to show off the latest technological advancements.

We are two weeks away from the opening of the 2009 North American International Auto Show , held each year in Detroit.  Once upon a time this was THE auto show, but competition is strong and Los Angeles moved up their dates starting in 2007 to become the first major auto show of the season.

But Detroit is still Motor City and as such manufacturers will be there to show off their latest models along with concept cars and new car introductions.

All the shows this season have the dark cloud of uncertainty hanging over them as talks about the bailout loom large in the headlines, and the prospect of the big three becoming the big two in the not so distant still fill the minds of many a Detroit resident.  These facts coupled with a host of cancellations for the 2010 show serve to add credibility to those who choose to stick it out and put on a big show for the press and other show participants.

But can there be a standout?  A star of the show.  Perhaps a single car, perhaps an entire lineup. 

Is there a manufacturer ready to stand out amongst the field and shine?

The Chinese will be in Detroit in force looking to break in and own a piece of the US market.  Do they have what it takes?

How about the Big Three.  Are there any surprises up their sleeves that we don't know about yet?

Perhaps the UAW will announce that it is disbanding.  No, that won't happen!

Seriously though, who do you think has the moxie to go the distance and truly be a winner in Motor City this January?

Lets spend some time speculating, use this as a benchmark we can reference to in a couple of weeks. 

Lets see who nails it, and who completely misses the mark as we identify the surprise winners at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.

Obliv - 12/27/2008 12:43:51 PM

+11 Boost

lol, no.

theoptimisticpessimist - 12/27/2008 1:49:46 PM

0 Boost

The new RX350 - Lexus embraces the "I" drive.

LuxuryFan - 12/27/2008 6:00:39 PM

+3 Boost

I've actually driven the EX extensively...it's quite impractical. If it's consolation, it does surpass the RX in terms of ugliness.

bigTYME - 12/27/2008 6:51:29 PM

+3 Boost

At least the EX is based on a proper RWD platform, not one shared with a basic bread and butter car...Camry.

LuxuryFan - 12/27/2008 10:10:48 PM

+2 Boost

Yet...that hasn't actually helped it in sales.

bigTYME - 12/28/2008 12:15:10 AM

0 Boost

Yea, it's sad too many people have their head stuck up their ***. A smart person would just get a Highlander instead. I'm not a big fan of the EX, but performance-wise it's by far a much better car to drive than an RX. I've driven an RX and it has a very numb feeling to it.
Sales figures don't mean anything. All it is, is preference. Looks like there are more people who prefer the soft, cushy ride over a stiffer sport suspension. If there were more people like me, Lexus will probably kill this RX and make a new RX from scratch with better performance based on the IS/GS.

EnnNorak - 12/29/2008 8:20:09 AM

0 Boost

ChuckG37, the deal-breaker for me re the RX was not that it was a fat pig -- it was that the spare wheel, which not too long ago was a matching alloy wheel mounted in a proper wheel well inside the vehicle, is now located underneath the vehicle in the form of a steel wheel that is exposed to all the winder salt and mud. makes me wonder what other shortcuts Lexus has been taking lately.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/1/2009 2:48:39 AM

+1 Boost

"If you want a good competitor look no further than the Infiniti EX."

Barf, the EX35 has no space in the rear cabin (literally NO legroom) and the trunk is useless. It should've been fun but it doesn't handle extraordinarily well either. To add insult to injury it's a gas-guzzler. I wouldn't be surprised if the FX35 got better MPG--it's a far better car overall.

EnnNorak - 12/29/2008 8:21:59 AM

0 Boost

truthpursuit, that is because there are more idiots out there than sensible buyers.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/1/2009 2:49:26 AM

+1 Boost

"Lexus sells more RX's than the entire Infiniti line."

Congrats, Toyota probably sells more Camrys than the entire Lexus line.

theoptimisticpessimist - 12/27/2008 1:00:18 PM

+1 Boost

I think the big suprise is the automaker that won't be there.

EL34 - 12/27/2008 1:48:27 PM

+3 Boost

Will the new Ford Taurus be @ Detroit ??

EL34 - 12/27/2008 4:35:23 PM

+4 Boost

I hear the Taurus will make the Camry look like a cheese sandwich served for New Years dinner and the Taurus will be like going out to dinner at $100.00 per plate.

Happy New Year :-D

LuxuryFan - 12/27/2008 6:02:14 PM

-2 Boost

You apparently need to get your hearing checked, EL34.

veyron1001 - 12/27/2008 4:04:54 PM

0 Boost

Anything from saturn, gmc, buick, pontiac and chrysler would surprise me.

veyron1001 - 12/27/2008 5:56:23 PM

-3 Boost

very true

neutral - 12/29/2008 12:58:05 PM

+2 Boost

1UAW,

don't waste your time with these people. They don't get it.

Agent001 - 12/27/2008 4:11:37 PM

+2 Boost

For sure the next generation Prius will be the 'Obama' of the cars coming to Detroit but I'm hoping people finally start understanding how great the German Diesel's are.

001

S4cabriofoxone - 1/1/2009 2:51:49 AM

+1 Boost

Ah, but my favorite is the new Lexus IS250C: Sarah Palin of automobiles.

91z4me - 12/28/2008 9:47:16 AM

0 Boost

A car the size of the Taurus won't be getting 30+ mpg average. Sorry it just isn't going to happen it is a very large car (bigger than Camry, Accord, et al). It competes with the Buick Lucerene, Chrysler 300, Charger, and Ford's own Panther cars. Also given it's FWD based AWD powertrain and Ecoboost V6 availability it will have a unique number of options for consumers. It stands a very good shot at being a sales success even if it doesn't get 30+ mpg.

SmarterThanYou - 12/27/2008 7:41:20 PM

-3 Boost

Prediction: GM will shock the automotive industry with the re-introduction of their import fighting Chevy Citation http://wikicars.org/en/Chevrolet_Citation complete with two-tone paint and cheap plastic crap that falls apart. Hooray for GM!

chewy - 12/27/2008 11:25:00 PM

+3 Boost

Audi should have a good showing, A7 concept, R8 V10, and a second diesel.

chewy - 12/27/2008 11:28:16 PM

+3 Boost

the Detroit Show/NAIAS has always been a good one.

There is a poor quality of the next Taurus in which it looks pretty good.

VISO - 12/29/2008 11:46:12 AM

+2 Boost

If the A7 Concept is shown with the possiblity of an RS5 then Audi steals the show.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/1/2009 2:52:53 AM

+1 Boost

I'm excited for the A7 if only because I have no idea what it will be like. Will the A5 Sportback also be coming at around the same time?

SteedPub - 12/27/2008 11:50:23 PM

+5 Boost

I think that Ford will be the standout this year.

EL34 - 12/28/2008 12:11:28 AM

+1 Boost

It would be great to see the 2011 VW Microbus concept at the Detroit Auto Show.

:-/

mercuryguy - 12/28/2008 10:17:54 AM

+1 Boost

I drive 4 hours every year to see the show.

VW always surprises me from the Phaeton to the Passat CC. Thier cars seem every bit as nice as Mercedes, but Mercedes is always the top star at the show. Porshe and BMW are big hitters as well. Bentley and Rolls are small displays, but very nice, these cars are built they ways cars should be and on a level far different than consumer junk.

mercuryguy - 12/28/2008 11:02:47 AM

0 Boost

Ford is rumored to have the Lincoln MKt Production model on the floor.

I would think the redisigned 2010 Mercury Milan, Taurus and Lincoln MKz will be there.

It would be nice to see a production 2010 Lincoln MKX with the new grille.

Ford was the big Domestic display last year. GM display looks like a flea Market with the exception of Cadillac, but Caddy should move its display further away from the other GM models.

mercuryguy - 12/28/2008 11:04:10 AM

-2 Boost

Maybe the 2010 Sable will appear as well.

0to60 - 12/28/2008 2:51:36 PM

+2 Boost

Do they still make this rebadged taurus!?! What a waste!

mercuryguy - 12/28/2008 11:06:44 AM

+1 Boost

Last year the Ford Flex was locked-up on an elevated platform. People couldn't see it or sit inside.

Big Mistake!

Probably a big Reason sales are slow, not many people even know about this new model.

mercuryguy - 12/29/2008 11:54:15 AM

+1 Boost

The Production Lincoln MKt will be a big surprise this year.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-lincoln-mkt-spy-shots/

And the New Taurus:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2010-ford-taurus/

S4cabriofoxone - 1/1/2009 2:54:51 AM

+1 Boost

A big surprise would be if Ford finally killed Mercury. Could you imagine all the money saved from that waste of dealer space? Ford could have all that money for design, engineering and R&D. Mondeos and Euro Focuses for everyone.