During the dark period between 2008 and 2010, when many sectors were experiencing severe difficulties and cutting corners, the auto shows that took place had a somber feeling about them. But automakers still showed up to the party with supercars and concept vehicles that, save for a few cars purporting green initiatives, proclaimed 'business as usual'.
The number of new cars shown at the NAIAS this year showed the unfortunate trickle down effect since the Estoque concept and SLS AMG made their debuts at the 2008 Paris and 2009 Frankfurt motor shows respectively. While we covered 24 cars at the 2008 Detroit auto show and 20 cars at the 2009 edition of the event, we only covered 14 cars this year. And while the argument could be made that the motor show is no longer as relevant as it once was - with automakers choosing to showcase their vehicles at many exclusive events worldwide - the truth is that there's still some time before we can really begin to rejoice.
One particularly interesting occurrence witnessed at the Detroit show is the fact that Volkswagen presented the (for the time being) US-only Passat, which is larger than the European model sold elsewhere in the world. While many designers we spoke to at the show thought the design was well-resolved - if dull, predictable and boring - it is worthy of note that Volkswagen decided to create a bespoke model when so many other automakers are creating 'global' vehicles.
Ford is one such company, evidenced by the launch of the new Fiesta and Focus in the market late last year; the company is finally keen to show a unified product range across different markets, if only in certain segments. This is something I thought should have happened long ago, especially when the products coming out of Ford's European operations were so much more appealing, both from a design and engineering perspective. And that's without even bringing up the issue of perceived quality, which was noticeably higher on Ford's European vehicles than it was on the automaker's US-branded product.
The same holds true for Volkswagen: with the US-version Passat (and the US-spec Jetta), the company has cut many corners to compete with rival mid-size segment contenders, notably the Korean automakers. In chasing the lower price point, Volkswagen is looking to appeal to a demographic they believe care only about the price of the car, but we're certain savvy North American consumers will see through this tactic, especially if they get some seat time in the new Passat.
There was, however, one significant industry which has shown little sign of cutting back, even through the hardest times in the economic recession. That industry is technology. Our man Joe Simpson headed out to Las Vegas to check out the latest developments in this game changing sector at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and came back with a slew of articles about in-car technology. While some detractors see the influx of gadgetry available in vehicles as a recipe for distraction (and predict a multitude of court cases in the near future), it's clear that users increasingly see the motor vehicle as an extension of the home, and better, seamless integration of technology is clearly what consumers want.
We'll be bringing you more detailed reviews, design development articles and interviews in the coming weeks. And be sure to check our news and new car sections for the latest developments in the world of automotive design leading up to the 2011 Geneva motor show.
Happy reading,
Eric Gallina, Editor
editor@cardesignnews.com
Go to Car Design News
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