It’s no secret that major manufacturers are deriving much of their sales success and profits from trucks and crossover SUVs, which now account for more than 60 percent of industry volume. The new vehicles revealed at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit reflect that shift from cars to trucks, with the latter accounting for most of the significant introductions.
Chief among them are in the full-size pickup truck arena with the debuts of the 2019 models of the Chevrolet Silverado and the Ram 1500. Ford continues to lead the segment and took a big chance two years ago with the use of aluminum body panels and V6 engines instead of offering up traditional steel-beds and V8 engines. Both the Chevy and the Ram promise to be lighter and more fuel efficient, but rather than embrace aluminum as Ford has done, these new trucks stress the use of lighweight high-strength steel and exotic composites like carbon fiber. And neither of these new pickups will be backing away from offering V8 power.
Crossovers and SUVs have also become a staple of the luxury segment and there were many major introductions by these upscale players. Mercedes-Benz finally revealed the remake of its range topping G-Class SUV. A big part of this boxy ultra-luxe off-roader’s charm has been its retro looks, and Mercedes hasn’t messed with success.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Lexus showed off the LF-1 Limitless Concept, a small SUV show car that if produced, would be positioned beneath the NX in the division’s lineup. BMW unveiled the 2018 X2, which will slot between the X1 and X3 when that vehicle bows next spring.
Also making its Detroit debut was the updated and facelifted 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The remake addresses a polarizing front-end design that has caused the SUV some struggles in the market, forcing Jeep to sweeten the Cherokee with some of the automaker’s highest incentives.
Still, cars will get their due at the show. Toyota has not given up on sedans and showed an all-new 2019 Avalon (with Apple CarPlay, a first for the automaker), while Infiniti unveiled a concept full-size sedan that could be a new range topper for Nissan’s luxury division. Hyundai hopes to give a shot in the arm to its compact hatchback Veloster with an all-new design, while Kia debuted an all-new Forte compact car.
There’s a lot to see right here, but if you have the time we can show you even more new and redesigned models for 2019.
Previous Detroit Auto Shows
The Detroit Auto Show remains one of the biggest and most anticipated auto shows in the world and draws more visitors to kbb.com than any other auto show. Also known by the loftier North American International Auto Show or NAIAS, the Detroit Auto Show is held annually at downtown Detroit’s Cobo Center, with a public opening date around the middle of January. Not just the home auto show for the American auto industry, the Detroit Auto Show is also an important show for automakers from around the world as the key car show in one of the world’s largest car markets.
2017 Detroit Auto Show Toyota revealed an all-new Camry while Lexus unveiled its next-gen LS sedan, plus the remake of Chevrolet’s Traverse and GMC’s Terrain were on display too.
2016 Detroit Auto Show The resurrection of Honda’s Ridgeline, Chrysler’s unveiling of Pacifica, plus the 2017 Lincoln Continental debut.
2015 Detroit Auto Show The Hyundai Santa Cruz Concept had Subaru Brat fans recalling fond memories, even if it didn’t have in-bed seating.
2014 Detroit Auto Show Toyota had the FT-1 Concept, Kia had the GT-4 Stinger Concept, and we wanted one of each.
2013 Detroit Auto Show Before it became reality, the second coming of the Acura NSX was just an unattainable concept car.
2012 Detroit Auto Show The aluminum-intensive, turbocharged Ford F-150 first peeked out at the world as the Ford Atlas Concept.
2011 Detroit Auto Show Remember the Kia KV7 Concept? Neither did we, but it was fun getting caught up when we saw it again.
2010 Detroit Auto Show MINI Beachcomber Concept, why did you never make something of yourself and become something we could buy?
