Top American Auto Shows

Car and truck enthusiasts can get their fill of U.S. auto shows throughout the year, from California to Minneapolis to New York. But probably the two most important shows are the earliest - the Detroit (North American International Auto) Show in January and the Chicago Auto Show in February. These two internationally known motor shows are famous for their large selection of futuristic concept cars and production vehicles gearing up for their market debuts.

Highlights of the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit included the unveiling of several flashy concept cars, including the Chevrolet Volt, Honda Accord Coupe, Jaguar C-XF, Lincoln MKR, and Toyota FT-HS, as well as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Prototype. Some of these vehicles may never make it to market - but the rave reviews from the auto press and industry insiders show strong support for these potential cars of the future.

One of the most talked-about models was the Chevrolet Volt concept sedan, which will also be featured at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. The Volt is a battery-powered electric car built on General Motors' E-flex System. Its flex-fuel gasoline engine extends the Volt's mileage range to 640 miles, versus 40 miles running on electric power.

Among the new production models introduced at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, standouts included the 2008 BMW 3-Series convertible with a retractable steel roof; the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe and Cabriolet models, the first Smart cars to hit the U.S.; and the massive Toyota Tundra Crew Max, a super-sized pickup slated to go on sale in March.

But General Motors stole the show with the eye-popping Chevy Volt and by earning North American Truck of the Year honors for the Chevrolet Silverado and North American Car of the Year for the Saturn Aura. Not to be left out of the limelight, Ford also made waves with its new partnership with Microsoft. The companies' integrated communications system -- "Sync" - will provide wired and wireless access (via Bluetooth or USB technology) in future Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury products.

The much-anticipated Chicago Auto Show - considered by many to be the most important consumer auto show in the U.S. - promises to give customers at least 20 world and North American introductions of new vehicles. Another feature of the Chicago show will be the huge indoor test track offered by the Chrysler Group. Visitors can test out the performance of Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler products in various scenarios, including hill-climbing and low-traction winter driving.

Among the concept cars slated for viewing at the Chicago Auto Show is the next-generation Volvo XC, with a transparent, tinted-glass roof and visually floating front and rear interior seats. Acura, which debuted its Advanced Sports Car at Detroit, will give a sneak peak of the 6.6-foot wide Acura Advanced Sedan concept car in Chicago. The powerful diesel-run, 500-horsepower Audi Q7 will also make an early appearance in Chicago, as will the ultra-modern Ford Airstream. Ford's innovative vehicle uses a super-light fuel cell system and features futuristic interior design.

From sleek hybrid cars to mammoth-sized pickups, the 2007 American auto shows are one of the best ways to see the future of the American, European, and Asian auto industries.

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Sources:

North American International Auto Show
Automobile Magazine
Chicago Auto Show