Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Sharp designs with pizazz, power and elegance helped pull in crowds during the opening of the North American International Auto Show, with automakers doing their best to impress consumers looking for signs of the industry's recovery, writes Corey Williams.
Thousands of people from around the world filed from exhibit to exhibit inside the sprawling Cobo Centre in Detroit, US, to peruse the newest models from General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler, as well as top competition from Europe and Asia.
"The last two years, people would come and look. But now, they are sitting in the vehicles and asking questions," said 43-year-old Sherry Fedewa, a manager in an auto parts company.
New car and truck sales came in last year at 11.6 million, up 11 per cent from 2009. December sales rose to 1.14 million, an 11 per cent leap from a year earlier.
The annual auto show often gives consumers and car enthusiasts their first close look at the new vehicles, engine upgrades and gadgets coming off the assembly line each year. Amid renewed optimism in the US auto industry, organisers expect higher attendance than last year's 714,000 visitors.
GM's corner appeared to be drawing the biggest crowds, with dozens of people circling the company's sport utility vehicles and sportier models. But the latest models from Ford and Chrysler also garnered interest.
Mrs Fedewa was among those ogling the new Chevy Volt, an electric car with a base sticker price of $40,280 (around BD15,000). In December, GM sold between 250 and 350 of the cars, which can go about 64 kilometres on battery power before needing a charge. They come with a backup petrol engine that GM said could extend its range to 603km.
GM predicts it will sell 10,000 of them in 2011, and between 35,000 and 45,000 in 2012.
"It just stands out from the rest of all the smaller cars," said Mrs Fedewa.
"I like the style of the tail lights. The design looks so sleek."
With gas prices again on the rise, Tim Holton said he wants something that gets good mileage but with enough room for his three young children.
The 37-year-old sized up a 2011 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid and noted that car companies are paying more attention to car buyers.
"They are actually listening to us instead of their boards of directors," said Mr Holton.
"We could care less about their quarters. We care about getting our kids to soccer games and how many times we have to fill up the tank."
In about six months, Ron Tate expects to buy a new car. He looked at the Chevy Malibu, but spent a lot to time in the Toyota exhibit.
"I want something very dependable ... that will keep running for a couple hundred thousand miles," said Mr Tate.
This year's auto show runs through to Sunday.
