Auto show raises the temperature

• Source: Shanghai Daily
• [08:36 January 14 2010]
• Comments

The Mercedes exhibit space at the 2010 North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010.

The weather in Detroit, car capital of the United States, was even chillier than Shanghai Jan. 12. But the opening of the 2010 North American International Auto Show, brought some warmth to the beleaguered industry.

Chinese battery and electric car maker BYD Auto has a stand alongside the show's "Electric Avenue" and brought the E6 electric car that will hit the US market later this year.

BYD is also displaying a revamped F3 electric fitted with a solar energy roof.

"The United States is a huge market for the E6 because the new energy vehicle is more acceptable after years of development," said BYD's Zhai Tuo, an official in the company's export division.

The E6 uses electricity produced by a lithium-ion battery and can travel 330 kilometers on a single charge.

Although some makers, such as Suzuki, Ferrari and Rolls-Royce, were absent from the Detroit show this year, others, particularly American companies, played an active role in the Cobo Center to express their confidence in a rebounding market.

There are about 60 new vehicles on display in Detroit.

General Motors, which emerged from bankruptcy in July, is experiencing something of a rebirth with new GMC, Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac models.

The growing Chevrolet small car portfolio is joined by the Chevrolet Cruze, the Aveo RS and the Spark five-door mini, which will all be launched in the US within three years to meet demand for fuel efficient small cars. GM's Chevrolet Volt plug-in is one of 20 electric cars on the show's Electric Avenue.

Just a few meters away from GM, Japan's Toyota unveiled a smaller hybrid concept aimed at the younger generation.