Strictly business — for automakers and journalists

Kathy Renwald

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Ford kept strict focus on the Focus, Toyota delivered a lecture on sustainable cars for the "8 bit generation," a live version of "Here Comes the Sun" introduced the new convertible E class Mercedes, and Audi painted a picture of its craftmanship that was on parallel with the creation of the Sistine Chapel.

It's soup to nuts or maybe tofu to aluminum at the North American International Auto Show as the media looks at the shape of 2010 in the driver's seat.

First out of the block was Ford Motor Co., and feeling proud after winning North American Car and Truck of the Year awards for the Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect. No fat heads at Ford though, as the bulk of their presentation detailed the all new 2012 Ford Focus.

The affordable compact will get the full technology treatment, with touch screen and voice controls packaged in the MyFord tech bundle. A sweet red hatchback spun around centre stage and seems to have put the sizzle back in the Focus brand.

Sizzle was on hold at the GMC and Buick presentation, where applause was absent, until the Buick Regal GS show car displayed some fine, sporty curves.

A small GMC untility concept called the Granite got some stage time, as GM promised to expand its offering of smaller vehicles.

The first happy hoot I heard at the auto show was when Volkswagen brought out its compact concept coupe, a great looking little car that blends VW character with some Audi and BMW styling cues.

The same VW folks were front row observers as stablemate Audi trotted out its ultra glamourous new A8, with more power, improved fuel economy and 8-speed gearbox.

The Audi folks were in full patting themselves on the back mode as R8s and S5s decorated the stage area like runway models.

Though they had the beautiful Z4 SDrive 35is under the spotlight, BMW played it pretty straight, reciting all the moves it will make to build more fuel efficient vehicles. The SDrive technology gives the Z4 more power without increasing fuel consumption.

The mood was more light-hearted at Mercedes, where the new E Class Cabriolet introduction completes a strong selling lineup. Mercedes' new wind management design called Aircap will keep backseat passengers looking unruffled as they enjoy the open air scenery.

As I mentioned, Toyota played to the 8 bit generation, whatever that is. Young people looking to live the Prius lifestyle, I guess. They promised to keep churning out hybrids and to improve lithium ion batteries.

Everybody seemed to be running out of juice like a prototype plug-in as Day 1 wound down.

Hyundai, after last year's love fest over the Genesis, talked about a facelift for the Santa Fe, their warranty programs, and charity involvement. A big crowd camped out at the Chevrolet stage hoping for some excitement but the new mantra of it's a small world after all carried on as the Cruze, Spark, Volt and Aveo were front and centre in the gabfest. Only the concept Aveo RS lit a fire for excitement seekers, as Chevy showed a video of it racing through a conceptual world. Ford had last call honours where the talk was all about bringing green jobs back to Michigan. Batteries and trans-axle production will move from Mexico home to Michigan according to Ford.

A disgruntled media type standing next to me hoping for some juicy news on the Mustang shuffled off early.

But positive job news isn't such a bad way to end the day in Detroit.

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