2009 NAIAS Photo Gallery

This was my first trip ever to the North American International Auto Show. I have heard from the grizzled veterans that the NAIAS dwarfs all other US auto shows, and that I should be prepared for pageantry, pomp and circumstance like I've never seen before.

Well, perhaps in years past. But this year's show was relatively sedate, and of a manageable size. Of course a few major manufacturers, like Nissan/Infiniti, Land Rover and Porsche, chose to skip this year's event, citing the economic slowdown and a lack of new product to announce as the reason.

Still, there was some news on the SUV and crossover front. General Motors debuted two new crossovers, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and the 2010 Cadillac SRX, along with a crossover concept, the Chevrolet Orlando. Lincoln premiered the 2010 MKT, a crossover touring vehicle.

In any other year, this might have been big news -- as it was, everything else seemed overshadowed by electric vehicles and battery technology. Not only was the Chevy Volt front and center, GM announced plans to manufacture batteries in North America (in partnership with LG Kim, a Korean company). A Chinese company called "BYD" (Build Your Dream) showcased their battery-powered sedans and hatchbacks. Fisker unveiled an exotic electric, and Tesla continued to display their tantalizing prototypes.

Still, battery-powered cars are a long way off, so we'll be looking at gas-powered SUVs and crossovers for years to come still.

Take a look at a few photos that I've posted in this 2009 NAIAS Photo Gallery. I welcome your thoughts -- click on "comments" below.

Photo © Jason Fogelson