When I first began studying foreign languages in high school, I remember one of my teachers explained to the class that the learning of a language would come in waves. We would go through periods where we seemed to suck in all types of new vocabulary just like a sponge, but eventually we would come to a roadblock that made getting through fairly straightforward grammar as painful as pulling teeth. These "plateaus," as he liked to call them, could last for quite a long time, but getting through one usually meant that we had made a significant leap forward and had gained an understanding and capability we didn't think was possible.
In some ways, I feel like the auto industry is quickly approaching one of these plateaus.
The Detroit Auto Show is North America's premier auto event (and, consequently, one of the biggest in the world), showcasing several dozen "new" vehicles, tantalizing more than 6,000 media personnel and hosting roughly 800,000 visitors. I was very curious to see if this year's collection actually offered any noteworthy developments, or if it would be yet another display of like-minded cars and rebadged models.
For someone with an insatiable interest in the auto industry, I have never really liked auto shows. I think this is partly because I see pictures and read about everything so far in advance that it all seems somewhat "dated" when I see the cars in person. It's also because I usually need some time to warm up to modern design styling and concepts.
True, the latest developments in electronics and "information" have led to an entirely new dimension in car gadgets and driving aids, but in many respects the "new" concepts showing up these days seem to have bumped into the equivalent of a design glass ceiling.
When one considers the incredible developments over the last couple of decades with regard to personal transport, it all very much resembles the way in which the industrial age took off quickly and then leveled off again. At this point in time, the automotive industry will likely need to see the likes of a major shift (possibly away from petroleum based fuels?) before we see the really radical designs.
Having said that, this year's show in Detroit did offer several interesting ideas, and even a few totally new cars in addition to the host of parts bin shuffle, predictable introductions and "back from the grave" offerings. There may not have been anything that can fly or run on potato peelings, but if you're into Jeeps that have not one but two V8 Hemi engines, you won't have been disappointed.
For a summary and pictures of the cars present, click here.
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Posted by: Alexander | July 30, 2009 at 01:51 AM