2011 Detroit: Our Take on the Good, Bad and Ugly from This Year’s Show

DETROIT – Two years after being left for dead, Detroit’s auto show has lived to see another day. Last year, Chrysler’s dank, dark display looked like something out of the Gulag Auto Show, and it left Chrysler division CEO Olivier Francois depressed over his brand’s complete lack of new product.
This year, Chrysler’s display is bright, full of new 300s, Dodge Chargers, Jeep Grand Cherokees, plus facelifted Chrysler Town & Countrys, and Sebrings magically turned into relatively tasteful 200s. Those 200s are short-timers, designed to help Chrysler’s midsize lineup limp along for another couple of years.
Amidst all the glowing bright lights, are very few concepts at this year’s Detroit show. No, the paucity of concepts isn’t the sobriety of an auto industry that only wants to show realistic, near-production cars. The “dream” cars will be back in a year or two. This is the budget-cut hangover. The Detroit Three, especially General Motors and Chrysler, laid off so many designers and engineers and put so much future product on hold that it’s paying for it this year.
Nevertheless, there’s plenty of reality and near-reality to love and hate at this year’s show. Here’s what Team Motor Trend thinks of this year’s 2011 NAIAS. Be sure to click here for our complete look at everything from the 2011 Detroit show floor.