Thousands of people braved frigid temperatures and snow to crowd into Cobo Center in downtown Detroit on Saturday for the public opening of the North American International Auto Show whose glamour has dimmed in the shadow of a deepening national recession and the struggles of the auto industry.
The doors opened after almost a week of special access for the media, industry insiders and others during which US and foreign automakers spotlighted their new models of eco-friendly hybrids and electric vehicles.
But low emissions and high mileage are not why Lee Pierce drove the roughly 800km from his Knoxville, Tennessee, home to Detroit.
“This was worth the trip right here. It’s drop-dead gorgeous,” Pierce, 38, said while admiring a sleek silver open-top limited-production Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss. “I’m interested in the whole green thing, but that kind of takes a back burner in comparison to something like this.”
Show spokesman Sam Locricchio said organizers expect nearly 700,000 members of the public to visit Cobo for the show, which runs through next Sunday. Tickets are US$12 for adults.
Two of the Detroit Three automakers, General Motors Corp and Chrysler LLC, have survived largely thanks to billions of dollars in federal loans. Some big names, including Nissan Motor Co, decided not to show up in Detroit at all.
But while some features are missing, elaborate electronic exhibits and cutting-edge vehicles still made for an impressive display on Saturday as members of the public marveled at the sights.
“What an incredible show, what an incredible spectacle,” Pierce said. “It’s like Times Square.”
Nearly 50 vehicles unveiled at the Detroit show are among about 700 on display, and many of the new models represent what some say is the future of the auto industry: Hybrids, extended-range electrics and other advanced high-mileage cars. Among others, Toyota Motor Corp unveiled its third-generation Prius hybrid, Chrysler made public the 200C sedan and Jeep Patriot electric-vehicle concepts and GM revealed the two-door Cadillac Converj electric car.
Tom Biddlecombe, 22, traveled from Huron, Ohio, to check out the latest models as he gets ready to buy a new car. He admired the sleek Converj concept but said he will likely go for a sporty Chevrolet Camaro instead.
“It’s promising technology, though. I think if it does well and the price comes down a bit, I’d buy one,” Biddlecombe said.
But many auto buffs, potential buyers and excited children at the show on Saturday were more interested in style and power than fuel efficiency.
“Gas mileage is good and everything, but you’ve got to have fun,” said Michael Jackson, 36, of Louisville, Kentucky, admiring luxury models from British automaker Aston Martin. “I like the hybrids and everything, too, but I like my sports cars and I like horsepower.”
Tony Attanasio, 35, of the Detroit suburb of Northville admired the 2010 Lincoln MKX sedan as “pretty smooth” while his sons Chase, 8, and Trey, 6, played in the front seat.
“I like the sunroof,” Chase said with a wide, toothy grin.
Debbie and Larry Wheeler, also of Northville, are looking to buy a new car this year. Sitting in a silver Chevy Malibu hybrid — the same model GM chief executive Rick Wagoner drove last month to Washington while lobbying Congress for emergency loans — they said the model’s efficient hybrid gas-electric drive won’t be a major factor in their decision.
“It doesn’t mean that much to me,” Larry, 53, said. “I wouldn’t go out looking to buy a hybrid.”
Looking over a Ford Escape hybrid, 76-year-old Donald Greer of Southfield said he likes the sport utility vehicle but will probably buy a non-hybrid Explorer instead when he replaces his Honda Odyssey.
“I can get a better deal because no one wants them,” the Ford Motor Co retiree said, laughing. “I’ll take the gas mileage ... You know how it is. You win a few, you lose a few.”
Authorities have detained three former Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TMSC, 台積電) employees on suspicion of compromising classified technology used in making 2-nanometer chips, the Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office said yesterday. Prosecutors are holding a former TSMC engineer surnamed Chen (陳) and two recently sacked TSMC engineers, including one person surnamed Wu (吳) in detention with restricted communication, following an investigation launched on July 25, a statement said. The announcement came a day after Nikkei Asia reported on the technology theft in an exclusive story, saying TSMC had fired two workers for contravening data rules on advanced chipmaking technology. Two-nanometer wafers are the most
DEFENSE: The first set of three NASAMS that were previously purchased is expected to be delivered by the end of this year and deployed near the capital, sources said Taiwan plans to procure 28 more sets of M-142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well as nine additional sets of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), military sources said yesterday. Taiwan had previously purchased 29 HIMARS launchers from the US and received the first 11 last year. Once the planned purchases are completed and delivered, Taiwan would have 57 sets of HIMARS. The army has also increased the number of MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) purchased from 64 to 84, the sources added. Each HIMARS launch pod can carry six Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, capable of
CHINA’s BULLYING: The former British prime minister said that he believes ‘Taiwan can and will’ protect its freedom and democracy, as its people are lovers of liberty Former British prime minister Boris Johnson yesterday said Western nations should have the courage to stand with and deepen their economic partnerships with Taiwan in the face of China’s intensified pressure. He made the remarks at the ninth Ketagalan Forum: 2025 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prospect Foundation in Taipei. Johnson, who is visiting Taiwan for the first time, said he had seen Taiwan’s coastline on a screen on his indoor bicycle, but wanted to learn more about the nation, including its artificial intelligence (AI) development, the key technology of the 21st century. Calling himself an
South Korea yesterday said that it was removing loudspeakers used to blare K-pop and news reports to North Korea, as the new administration in Seoul tries to ease tensions with its bellicose neighbor. The nations, still technically at war, had already halted propaganda broadcasts along the demilitarized zone, Seoul’s military said in June after the election of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. It said in June that Pyongyang stopped transmitting bizarre, unsettling noises along the border that had become a major nuisance for South Korean residents, a day after South Korea’s loudspeakers fell silent. “Starting today, the military has begun removing the loudspeakers,”
RSS