2009 Detroit Auto Show – Its a Wrap

The 2009 NAIAS was just what most of the prognosticators thought that it would be – a slimmed-down lite version compared to last year. But while it was certainly not as imposing as those of recent memory it also brought forth its share of winners and losers.

The auto show as an economic forecast

The Detroit Auto Show has always been somewhat of a barometer of the American auto industry and this year was no exception. Most manufacturers eschewed their two-floored displays complete with bars and special customer “lounges” for simpler single-level displays, while a few even cancelled their displays, altogether. If the creative level of the exhibits and consumer participation are indicators of what lie ahead, the coming year will likely be a continuation of the economic storm the entire country experienced last year.

But amid all the doom and gloom that surrounded it, the 2009 Detroit Auto Show produced its share of winners and losers. Here, in our opinion, are six:

Winner – Cadillac Division, General Motors Corporation

If GM manages to survive the economic crisis, one of the brightest diamonds in its corporate tiara will be Cadillac. Following up last year’s Provoq concept with the equally stunning Converj, the division has taken its styling DNA to a whole new level and based it on the General’s current (no pun intended) Voltec extended-range electric technology.

Not content with the Converj unveiling, Cadillac also displayed production-ready versions of the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon and the 2010 SRX. The Sport Wagon, a body style that will probably be just a niche vehicle on this side of the pond, is sure to be a hit in Europe. The SRX, on the other hand, is a sign that Cadillac is moving that model in the right direction at the right time as it swaps the old 7-passenger V-8 optional platform for a 5-passenger configuration featuring an optional turbocharged V-6.

Loser – Saturn Division, General Motors Corporation

While General Motors has decided not to drop the Saturn brand, at least for now, it’s clear that what was once touted as “A different kind of Car Company, A different kind of Car” has been suffering from the inability of anyone at GM to give the division any clear focus. A case in point: due to a lack of demand, the 2009 Astra has been cancelled, giving dealers time to clear the glut of 2008 models from their lots before, theoretically, the 2010 models are introduced.

Winner – Audi AG

The company that has usurped Mercedes-Benz crown as the standard bearer of German engineering and styling came to Detroit with the R8 5.2 FSI Quattro, a V-10 version that produces 518 horsepower and a top speed of 195 mph.

Sitting next to the R8 was the stunning Sportback Concept which sources at Audi say could be the precursor to a new A7 coupe. Meanwhile, Audi confirmed that it will offer a 2-liter diesel engine in its A3 model later this year that should top 40 mpg.

Loser – Nissan North America

Nissan, to use racing parlance, was a DNS at this year’s event. The GT-R, the new 370Z and the Cube were missed by show goers. The rest of the line, including the new strippo Versa, not so much…

Winner – Ford Motor Company

Ford has wrestled styling victory from the jaws of defeat with the surprising new 2010 Taurus. What was once a slab-sided caricature of the Ford 500 styling concept is now a winner in its own right. The company also unveiled the mildly restyled 2010 Mustang that should give its long-lived ponycar a new lease on life.

Loser – Chrysler LLC

The 200C EV Concept was the one bright spot in an otherwise lackluster showing from the Auburn Hills-based manufacturer. Gone from the display were the waterfalls and mountains of yore. The Ram and Challenger were big news last year and a series of electric vehicles (one based on the European Lotus Europa S) only reminds us of the extremely abbreviated production run of Chrysler’s last two hybrid vehicles.

Tags: 2009 detroit auto show, 370z, a3, a7, astra, audi, cadillac, converj, cts sport wagon, detroit auto show, gt-r, Mercedes-Benz, NAIAS, Nissan, provoq, r8 fsi quattro, saturn, sportback concept, srx, versa