NAIAS HIGHLIGHTS: CONCEPTS

Since becoming an international event in 1989, the North American International Auto Show in Detroit has hosted 620 North American and worldwide vehicle introductions. This year's event was again a showcase for many new concept and production vehicle debuts.

It takes 10 weeks to prepare Cobo Center in Detroit for the NAIAS media and public exposition, with more than 1500 carpenters, stagehands, electricians, Teamsters, riggers, and ironworkers employed full time (12-14 h days; some double shifts) until the job is done. On display are exhibits worth in excess of $200 million, including the latest concept and production vehicles that are the highlights of the event.

Similar to last year, crossover concepts were in force with the Cadillac Vizon SUV/performance-wagon hybrid and GMC's transformable Terracross SUV, which is part pickup and part five-seat convertible. Some concepts employed highly innovative technology for safety (Volvo SCC) and body building (carbon-fiber Jeep Willys). Reconfigurable LCD instrument panels and clusters were also big news in this year's concepts, with the Cadillac Vizon and Oldsmobile O4 having them. Improved interior accessibility was a focus with the rear-hinged doors of the Buick Bengal, Oldsmobile O4, and Mazda RX-8. Concepts such as the Nissan Z, Dodge Super8 Hemi sedan, Ford 49, and Volkswagen Minibus combined styling cues or names from the past with present-day technology.