NAIAS Highlights: Concepts

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It takes 10 weeks to prepare Cobo Center in Detroit for the NAIAS media and public exposition, with more than 1500 carpenters, stagehands, electricians, Teamsters, riggers, and ironworkers employed full time (12-14 h days; some double shifts) until the job is done. On display are exhibits worth in excess of $200 million, including the latest concept and production vehicles that are the highlights of the event.

Similar to last year, crossover concepts were in force with the Cadillac Vizon SUV/performance-wagon hybrid and GMC's transformable Terracross SUV, which is part pickup and part five-seat convertible. Some concepts employed highly innovative technology for safety (Volvo SCC) and body building (carbon-fiber Jeep Willys). Reconfigurable LCD instrument panels and clusters were also big news in this year's concepts, with the Cadillac Vizon and Oldsmobile O4 having them. Improved interior accessibility was a focus with the rear-hinged doors of the Buick Bengal, Oldsmobile O4, and Mazda RX-8. Concepts such as the Nissan Z, Dodge Super8 Hemi sedan, Ford 49, and Volkswagen Minibus combined styling cues or names from the past with present-day technology.

AEI editors report on the concept vehicle highlights in this issue and production vehicle innovations next month.

Cadillac crosses over with Vizon
Ford goes retro with Forty-Nine
The Crossfire concept
Mitsubishi's crossover concept
Mazda's RX-8
The return of the Z
Information ring for Oldsmobile's O4
GMC's transformable Terracross
Wheels forward for Buick Bengal
GM Sabia by way of Brazil
Willys utilizes plastic technology
Ford Explorer Sportsman: go fish
Ford goes for dune buggy effects with EX
Volvo accents safety
Consumers help build Volvo vehicle
Dodge's retro Super8 Hemi
Acura RS-X prototype
VW Microbus blends old with new
BMW's X5-based sporty concept
Nissan's first foray into full-sized trucks
Infiniti's luxury crossover concept
Model X unlike any other Honda
Cunningham's coupe concept
Pack-and-go Gearbox
Rally-inspired concept car