Hey, New York, check out the exotic "imports" - from Detroit

http://www.autoextremist.com/ ^ | 4.12.06 | Peter M. DeLorenzo

[apackof2]

Hey, New York, check out the exotic "imports" - from Detroit.

Detroit. Now that the media din has successfully canonized literally every import brand imaginable, no matter what the pedigree, and instilled a Detroit = Bad, Imports = Good mentality in the American car buying public, New Yorkers attending the New York Auto Show this week owe it to themselves to check out the "exotic" import offerings from the Motor City. And if they would take their import-oriented blinders off long enough, they would be shocked at the sheer number of competitive offerings from GM, Ford and the Chrysler Group.

The state of the domestic auto industry in this country is such that Detroit-sourced brands should be viewed as exotic imports at this point, because too many in the media (who should know better) and in this country's current administration, along with the various lightweights in Washington (who are incapable of knowing better) are so blatantly biased against anything that Detroit comes up with that it would be laughable - if it weren't so tedious and flat-out wrong.

In many respects, now that the imports have gone mainstream, thanks to ill-informed tirades from such automotive "experts" as The New York Times' Thomas L. Friedman, who officially anointed Toyota as "America's Car Company" last summer - Detroit collectively has a shot as the alternative brand for American consumers. As a matter of fact, it's amusing to see some of the import brands veering to the staid and stodgy end of the automotive spectrum, while the Detroit automakers continue to push the envelope, coming up with some of the industry's most expressive designs.

After documenting this industry for the last seven years, it's no secret why this has happened, and I'm not going to rehash it here, but suffice to say Detroit played a large role in the predicament they find themselves in today and have gotten almost everything they've deserved. But some of my lesser colleagues out there have so bought into the imports-are-automatically-better way of looking at the world that they're not only incapable of seeing anything positive come from Detroit - they wouldn't know if it ran over them in the street. And the American consumers have followed right along with the program, now so conditioned to the notion that Detroit = Bad, Imports = Good that they're incapable of giving anything with Detroit overtones even a minimal shred of consideration.

With that in mind, I'll offer up a list of worthwhile offerings from Detroit that New Yorkers should check out at the show - on their way to picking out which shade of Beige to order their Camrys in.

Stop at the Chrysler Group exhibit and check out the Dodge Caliber and the Nitro. We like the Nitro better, but these are compact vehicles with a real point of view. Rear-wheel-drive fans shouldn't miss the Charger, the 300C and, of course, the bad-ass Viper sports car. And if you're into Jeeps, there are so many variations on the floor that you could spend an hour just sorting them all out. Trucks? They got plenty of 'em, so you won't be disappointed if trucks are your thing.

At Ford, the Fusion is a perfect example of a mainstream domestic car that deserves far more attention than it's already receiving, so investigate it further. And if branding exercises are your game, there are Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr versions too. The Ford Edge is the kind of crossover vehicle that should get a lot more attention once it hits the streets, even though it's not our particular thing. But so far it's getting lost in the din of import canonization. The Ford display is Truck City, so I won't even bother talking about the endless variations on the theme, although if you don't revel in the sheer presence of the "Super Chief" F-150 Concept you're truly missing out.

And for those of you out there who equate euro "sophistication" and technological overkill with desirability, don't go see the new Shelby Cobra Mustang GT 500. As a matter of fact, just keep right on walking, because its raw visceral appeal would be completely lost on you. For the rest who have the remnants of an open mind, you'll also enjoy checking out the milder Ford Shelby GT-H, a throwback to when Shelby and Ford actually sent a few Shelby Mustangs to Hertz rental lots in the 60s.

As for GM, they're the one domestic car company that has put more emphasis on product in the last few years than anyone (after ignoring it for so long they certainly needed to, desperately) - and it shows. In GM's display, you'll see good stuff everywhere you look. If you're looking for a sedan that has more character in one wheel than most other sedans have in total, the new Saturn Aura has mainstream "hit" written all over it, and it will be available this summer. For those needing something right now, check out the Chevy Impala SS with a small-block V-8 and displacement on demand. It's one of GM's "quiet" hits that continues to sell extremely well. Or the tasteful new Buick Lucerne, which packs more style, luxury and value in its package than the Lexus ES350. Then, there's the Chevy HHR, another of GM's "quiet" hits. Or the Pontiac G6 hardtop convertible. Or how about the Pontiac Solstice roadster, or the Saturn Sky, if sharp creases appeal to you more? Or the new full-size SUVs led by the Cadillac Escalade. Or the Hummer H3. The new Corvette. Or the Corvette ZO6 - one of the best sports cars in the world, period.

You get the picture. The New York Auto Show is a snapshot of the automobile industry right now, the most competitive it has ever been in its history. Detroit has been so out of it for so long they're now coming back around as the quintessential "outsiders" in a business that has become overrun with preconceived notions, accumulated biases and a confluence of relentlessly ill-informed weasels hell-bent on witnessing the outright destruction of the domestic automobile business - even though the consequences of such a scenario would have a profoundly negative impact on every single citizen in this country.

The "exotics" from Detroit are now worth a serious look, and this week, New Yorkers will get an eye-full. I believe they'll be pleasantly surprised.

Thanks for listening, see you next Wednesday.

[Jack Armstrong 1]

'96 Chevy Impala SS 300,000 miles, will run the pants off ANY import sedan, regardless of price.

[flying Elvis]

Ditto, I have 01 and 06 Civics and see no reason to purchase any other make of vehicle. Well made, durable, and efficient.

[flying Elvis]

Aztek=Edsel.

[winner3000]

(this country's current administration, along with the various lightweights in Washington (who are incapable of knowing better) are so blatantly biased against anything that Detroit comes up with that it would be laughable)

It's rare nowadays to see any article about anything no matter how remotely tied to politics, without the author feeling he has to take a shot at Bush. If they're trying to convince people, I can't think of a better way they can shoot their credibility to he**.

[apackof2]

Every Detroit car that you buy helps Democrats because the UAW channels union dues to one Party.

There are so many corporations that do this it isn't funny
I bet at least 1/3 of the products in your home where made by corps. and or organizations that contribute to the Dim-o-rats

BTW you can send a letter to the UAW stating that you do not want the portion of the your dues that go for politcal puposes taken from your general dues, and I am NOT advocating Union dues, just saying that each employee can do this

[apackof2]

'96 Chevy Impala SS 300,000 miles, will run the pants off ANY import sedan, regardless of price.

Some folks may think your lying about your American made car ;>)

[Proud2BeRight]

Loved your maz-duh story. There is an aura that surrounds riceburners to some people and the media. Say anything bad against a riceburner and you would think you have blasphemed someone's religion.

[steve86]

on what to do about their ugly duckling Aztek SUV

A hydraulic crusher sounds about right.

[crionlion]

Check out the survey:

J.D. Power: Most reliable cars
These cars, all 2002 models, have held up the best after three years, according to a survey.
June 29, 2005; Posted: 1:24 p.m. EDT (1724 GMT)

These 2002 model-year vehicles ranked first in their categories in the most recent J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study.

Compact car: 2002 Chevrolet Prizm

Entry midsize car: 2002 Chevrolet Malibu

Premium midsized car: 2002 Buick Century

Full-size car: 2002 Buick LeSabre

Entry luxury car: 2002 Ford Thunderbird

Mid luxury car: 2002 Lincoln Town Car

Premium luxury car: 2002 Lexus LS 430

Sporty car: 2002 Mazda Miata

Premium sports car: 2002 Porsche 911

Midsized pick-up: 2002 Chevrolet S-10

Light-duty full-sized pick-up: 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT

Entry SUV: 2002 Honda CR-V

Midsized SUV: 2002 Toyota 4Runner

Full-sized SUV: 2002 GMC Yukon/Yukon XL

Entry luxury SUV: 2002 Lexus RX 300

Premium luxury SUV: 2002 Lexus LX 470

Midsized van: 2002 Ford Windstar

Full-sized van: 2002 Ford E-series

[Jack Armstrong 1]

But I KNOW they are lying about their Asiatic/Euro junk. I challenge them any day head to head

[SoCal Pubbie]

Another example of the double standard is how lots of folks whine about how ugly the Chevy Avalanche is, but not a peep about the Honda Ridgeline, an even worse looking ripoff.

[gogeo]

Truth?

It's cheerleading.

[1rudeboy]

A spoiler has been added to help redefine the Aztek's much maligned rear-end.

Good Lord. What's the spoiler for? Help preventing understeer at high speed? LOL

[subterfuge]

Lets talk about all the GM cars with T-tops that couldn't keep you dry in a car wash.

ARound here we call that GM-itis. Door handles start falling off, windows stop working, AC vents fracture and crumble, you know the drill.

[wreckedangle]

I've been waiting for someone to mention that Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep IS A FOREIGN COMPANY. I guess the only foreign car companies are in Japan or South Korea.

[dirtboy]

A spoiler has been added to help redefine the Aztek's much maligned rear-end.

Hey, my rear-end has been much maligned in my time, but I'm not so stupid as to think slapping a spoiler above it would improve things.

[Dead Dog]

http://www.compcams.com/Community/Articles/Details.asp?ID=641135690


Enjoy! I'm playing with the idea of building a Daytona Coupe with one of these. They don't way much more than a 351W.

[Dead Dog]

Yes, however Jeep is still American build, designed, and managed. Even the Italian CRD engine is American Designed (Detroit IIRC).

[Uncle Fud]

I think those 1966 LeMans Fords were 427's.

I could get over my 15-yeae loathing of Ford (being a victim of the 3.8 V6 head gasket debacle) in about ten seconds flat if they'd bring back the side oiler 427.

[reagan_fanatic]

That has GOT to be one of the ugliest, if not the ugliest, car on the planet. Trying to pretty up that monstrosity would be like putting lipstick on a pig.