Here are my top picks from this years auto show

 

 

 

 

 

Volkswagen: ​When Samsung was facing difficulties with its Galaxy Note 7 and issued a global recall it was largely assumed that Samsung would no longer be dominant in the cell phone manufacturing market. People still purchase Samsung devices and are eagerly awaiting its replacement. The same could be said for VW who took a very big hit during the Emissions Scandal. VW has new leadership and they are bringing a new vehicle to the U.S. as a sort of apology. Volkswagen has never produced a full size SUV with VW branding. The VW Touareg, is midsized, and the Tiguan is a small CUV. Americans overwhelmingly still purchase full size SUVs and that trend has not changed in nearly 15 years. The most prominent vehicle on display at Volkswagens vendor station was the Volkswagen Atlas, a full size SUV reminiscent of a scaled down version of the Audi Q7. The Atlas will be produced in the United States at VW's Chattanooga plant in Tennessee.

 

 

 

Genesis: Planting their feet firmly in the Global and North American Luxury Vehicle market, Hyundai has decided to follow the path of the Japanese competition by launching a separate brand called Genesis. Launching the brand are the G80 and G90 luxury sedans formerly known as the Hyundai Genesis and Hyundai Equus. Automotive experts agree this was the correct move as the Hyundai branding was too distracting for a $70,000 vehicle

 

 

 

 

 

Chevrolet: ​GM has already offered the Hatchback version of the Cruze in Australia and Europe but now for the 2017 model year the Cruze comes to the U.S. in hatchback form. It is still unclear if the Cruze Hatchback will only be available at the RS trim level or if a base model will be offered but evidence seems to support the latter. No pre production models for the North American Cruze Hatchback have been seen as base models. Offered as an RS package the car comes with larger wheels, fog lights, touch screen infotainment system and more. Ford has a similar scheme with the Focus hatch in that the Focus Hatchback can only be purchased at the mid range SE Trim level. Also displayed was the new Bolt EV which although nice carries a high price tag of $47,000. Chevy claims its worth it due to the tax incentives for Electric vehicles

 

 

 

Toyota: There are many exiting new things coming from Toyota in the near future including the redesigned and more aggressive looking Camry, the Hydrogen powered Furai and for the first time in the North American market Toyota will offer a true Crossover the Toyota C-HR. Also exciting is with the new Camry is a new NASCAR Toyota Camry Sprint Cup Car which was also on display. Toyota has also updated the interiors on all of its Pickup trucks. Toyota's theme this year was "Made In America" Toyota has so many new vehicles built in the U.S. with American parts and Labor, Toyota's vendor station was on the "Domestic" level next to Chevrolet and Ford and not the Import level with Honda and Nissan. Toyota has plants in Kentucky, Indiana and California. For now the most exciting Toyota for me is the redesigned 86. Carried over from the now defunct Scion brand the Scion F-RS finally gets Toyota badging and the famed Hachiroku name.

 

 

 

Ford: ​The Ford Mustang was prominently displayed at Ford's vendor station redesigned for the 2018 model year. Many are still critical of the new design which now features new curves and a more aggressive front bumper. 2018 is going to be a big year for Ford. The vehicle many wanted to see was not yet ready. Ford announced in 2016 it would be bringing back the loved Ford Bronco and would be bringing the Ford Ranger back to the United States. Ford also hopes to have near perfectly functional autonomous vehicles ready to be sold in 2020. My favorite Ford at the Auto Show this year was the new F250 Super Duty. The interior is great and features a sun roof which covers the entire interior space. Ford was also proud to show off the recently released Focus RS. At the Lincoln vendor station a brand new Lincoln Navigator was displayed featuring full body length gullwing doors. It is expected to be released along with the next generation Ford Expedition.

 

 

 

Fiat-Chrysler: ​Fiat which was also on the Domestic level had a much anticipated vehicle at the Fiat vendor station. The new 124 Spider was on display in both standard and Abarth versions. The vehicle is a badge engineered version of the Mazda MX-5 Miata with different interiors and performance. The 124 will also be produced along side the Miata in Japan. Fiat also had a special vendor station for Alfa Romeo which officially relaunches in the U.S. this year. The Alfa Romeo Giulia and 8C were on display ready for U.S. Sales. Chrysler displayed updated versions of the Dodge Charger and Chrysler Pacifica. A representative from Chrysler announced 2016 would be the final year of Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town and Country production. Both vehicles are being replaced by the new Chrysler Pacifica which now is offered as an EV.

 

 

 

Subaru: In late 2016 Subaru revealed the new Impreza and Impreza hatchback which had more interest. The hatchback version of the Impreza has been turned into a crossover by raising its height and adding 4WD performance. The XV Crosstrek filled the slot for Subaru hatchbacks and fans were desperately waiting for a new one. The WRX receives a mild facelift leading some to believe a new one is in the works. Subaru representatives at the vendor station had no comment on a Hatchback WRX in the future. The BRZ has also been given a refresh. Subaru has been gauging interest at a possible performance version of the Forester called the Forester STI.

 

 

 

 

 

Honda: ​At Honda's vendor station the Civic was displayed in all 3 of its forms. For years now the Civic has been a boring and bland cheap sedan. The Civic is now offered as a Sedan as a Coupe and as a Hatchback just like in the 90's which is great news for Honda fans. Honda representatives confirmed that a new Type R version is being planned for both the sedan and hatchback. Honda was also proud to display the Ridgeline the current North American Truck of the Year. Honda has also redesigned the Pilot and CRV which both feature styling similar to the Civic and Acura NSX. The Odyssey minivan remains unchanged but comes in nearly 5 trim levels to make it more accessible for different price points. At Honda's Acura vendor station the New NSX was displayed along the new Acura lineup which has been redesigned to mirror the NSX's new aggressive look.

 

 

 

 

 

​Buick and Cadillac: ​General Motors has long had a difficult problem with these two brands being nearly identical to one another. Finally GM has decided on a path for both brands. Cadillac is now a high tier full fledged luxury manufacturer. Cadillac's entire lineup has been redesigned and renamed. Luxury vehicles always sell better when they have Alphanumeric nomenclature. This is the reason why luxury cars no longer have names. The core of the new Cadillac brand is the CT6 which also comes in a plug in hybrid version. Cadillac offers high quality now and that is reflected in the price of $70,000. Buick is now the entry level luxury brand being led by the redesigned LaCrosse which is far closer in price to its Chevy Impala cousin. Buick also now offers a convertible in the form of the Buick Cascada.

 

 

 

 

 

Mercedes-Benz:​ The most anticipated Mercedes was not on display but people have been wondering if Mercedes would ever bring the X class concept pickup truck to the United States. Mercedes representatives passed on the same remarks of Daimler's CEO. Mercedes says they will sell the X Class in the U.S. if they find a way to lower the price point to be only slightly higher than other high end pickups for sale in the U.S. The reps did say they were strongly interested in bringing the truck to U.S. due to high sales of Mercedes Benz commercial vans. The X Class will be a badge engineered vehicle in joint cooperation with Nissan as the truck shares the same platform as the Nissan Frontier. Also displayed was the E Class Wagon which Mercedes say they will be supplying more to the U.S. dealers due to high sales of the wagon in the U.S. The new C Class was also displayed and it still retains its affordable $40,000 price point which is becoming a rarity in entry level luxury brands. The Smart car was on display at the Mercedes Benz vendor station humorously displayed next to the Mercedes GL SUV

 

 

 

 

 

Land Rover: ​At Land Rover's vendor station, the new Evoque Convertible was displayed and gathered much interest. Land Rover reps say this is to fill the slot of the 2 door version of the Evoque which was not selling well. Land Rover also displayed the new Discovery which finally gets its name back after being called the LR4. The Range Rover gets a few new colors as well

 

 

 

Honorable Mentions:

 

The Kia Stinger which is Kia's first attempt at a Grand Touring Sedan which has shown promise due to its lap times at the Nurburgring

 

BMW's new 7 series is massive and features a $90,000 price tag

 

Porsche has given the Panamera and 911 a facelift and redesign

 

Nissan continues to receive high marks for the sporty design of its entire range, and good sales of its commercial vans which were also on display.

 

 

 

What New Vehicles Have Your Eye?