We’re at war in this country right now and I’m not referring to Iraq. I’m talking about China, Korea and Japan. It’s not a war with soldiers and weapons. It’s a battle using designers and engineers. These countries are trying to destroy Detroit by making better, less expensive and greener cars and right now, AND they’re winning!

The Big 3 have no one to blame but themselves. They’ve been selling inferior vehicles to the American people for too long now, and the results are going to be more evident than ever at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit (open to the public) January 17^th through January 25^th), Asian carmakers will be unveiling a plethora of new cars at the show while our guys sit sadly on the sidelines. Sure, we’ve got some new projects that will be presented on the tradeshow floor, but all in all, they’re not going to create the kind of buzz that our foreign competitor’s are generating.

This recession is a good thing, in many ways, because it will force us to build better cars in this country. The Big 3 probably never would have gotten where it needed to be on its own. Now they have no choice.

The main question everyone’s asking is this—can we get these new, innovative cars to market fast enough to offset what I’m calling, “The Siege on Detroit?”

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In year’s past an unveiling of a company’s new model has been nothing short of something right out of Team America. Flashy lights, lasers, busty booth babes, and heavy metal blaring, have all been components of a press extravaganza for a new model. Because of the state of current business conditions, there will be no flash for Honda at the North American International Auto Show in January. Honda will still be debuting its new Acura and the production version of its Insight hybrid, but it will go on with less fanfare than a flashlight and the uncorking of a bottle of sparkling Costco wine.

“Normally we have a great TV moment with special effects to reveal a new model,” says Chris Martin, a spokesman for American Honda. “That’s a very expensive prospect. Given the economic times, we just didn’t see that as appropriate this year.”

Other auto companies are going to have even less flash than Honda. Nissan North America, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, and Porsche have also dropped out the NAIAS. I’m all one for an auto industry party, but it sounds like the NAIAS could be as festive as a wake.

Ford’s Jim Farley lets the world’s media take a look at both four- and three-door Verve body styles at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Bolder styling and more accommodating interior highlight changes to 2009 Pilot

01/13/2008 - DETROIT -

A prototype of the next-generation Honda Pilot is being unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

The prototype conveys design features of the more boldly-styled 2009 Pilot, set to debut in spring 2008, which emphasizes authentic SUV styling, clever and more accommodating interior packaging and advanced technologies for safety, fuel efficiency and convenience. Read the rest of this entry �

01/13/2008 - DETROIT -

The Honda CR-Z, a lightweight sports hybrid concept vehicle, and the FCX Clarity, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle set to begin limited retail marketing in summer 2008, are bringing some of the most advanced environmental technologies from Honda to the 2008 North American International Auto Show.

Read the rest of this entry �