Detroit — Auto shows used to have their niches. Detroit was the show for pickups. New York was for luxury cars, especially chauffeur-worthy ones. Los Angeles and Tokyo highlighted green technologies.
No more. This year, the North American International Auto Show in Detroit will focus on luxury vehicles and crossovers. The press preview begins Jan. 11.
BMW and Mercedes-Benz pull the wraps off multiple vehicles. Porsche, Lexus, Infiniti, Volvo, Audi, Lincoln and Hyundai's new Genesis brand join the luxury parade.
GMC, BMW and perhaps Audi will unveil new or redesigned crossovers.
As for pickups, the sole production pickup officially scheduled for a global debut in Detroit is the redesigned Honda Ridgeline.
The Ridgeline has been a major player in structural composites since Honda debuted its first truck at the Detroit auto show in 2005. The first generation truck has lockable storage bins built into its sheet molded composite bed. The automaker has teased a few images of the next Ridgeline, although it has not yet given any specifics.
Automotive News, a sister publication of Plastics News has a rundown of other vehicle launches expected during the auto show.