(01/13/12) - There are nearly 500 production and concept vehicles on display at Cobo Center. So we asked our auto insider to narrow down, in no particular order, the top three vehicles you should see if you are going to check out the auto show.
First on the list is the all new 2013 Dodge Dart. It's the first production vehicle under the Chrysler-Fiat collaboration. "The Dart is really an extraordinary vehicle," said Aaron Bragman with IHS Automotive research. "The styling is fantastic, it's like nothing out there. It's dramatic in terms of the content. The interior is unlike anything you've ever seen before."
Next on the list is one of the big stars of this year's show, the 2013 Cadillac ATS. The compact luxury sedan is ready to go head-to-head with the BMW 3-series. "It's the first baby Cadillac that you can point to and say, 'that's a serious contender.' It is truly competitive, a globally competitive luxury rear drive car from Cadillac," Bragman said.
Rounding out the top three, the redesigned 2013 Ford Fusion. Ford made over one of its most popular midsized vehicles, and it is definitely a head turner. "Frankly it is gorgeous. It has styling elements that have come from other vehicles like Aston Martin," he said. "You can see a little bit of the Audi A7 influence in it. It's a knockout in the terms of the way it looks."
Despite unveilings from Volkswagen, Toyota, and Honda, Bragman says the foreign automakers just didn't have any products he thought would capture the public's attention. "There's a lot of significant stuff that's coming. But really the biggest changes, the most significant stuff we've seen in terms of how big of a dramatic change of what's come before has been from the American companies."
The Dodge Dart, Cadillac ATS, and Ford Fusion will be on dealer lots by either the end of the year, or beginning of next year.
Monday, May 21 2012 6:52 PM EDT2012-05-21 22:52:06 GMT
(05/21/12) - The city of Flint has named two new, out of town, companies to take over the second phase of the stalled Smith Village project. This as one city council member makes a public plea for answers
The city of Flint has named two new, out of town companies to take over the second phase of the stalled Smith Village project.
Monday, May 21 2012 6:38 PM EDT2012-05-21 22:38:59 GMT
(05/21/12) - It's been more than two weeks since torrential rains hit Genesee County, flooding many homes, businesses and roads. Many residents are still trying to put their lives back together, and
It's been more than two weeks since torrential rains hit Genesee County, flooding many homes, businesses and roads.
Monday, May 21 2012 6:23 PM EDT2012-05-21 22:23:28 GMT
(05/21/12) - One of Bay City's biggest benefactors has died. Long-time businessman Jack Wirt died Saturday at the age of 95. Wirt moved to Bay City in 1941 and founded several businesses - including
Monday, May 21 2012 6:21 PM EDT2012-05-21 22:21:52 GMT
(05/21/12) - A Flint man is taken for nearly $200 by a man whom detectives say is preying on the elderly. The victim was so convinced by the suspect's story of distress, that he drove him to his home
A Flint man is taken for nearly $200 by a man whom detectives say is preying on the elderly.
Monday, May 21 2012 5:41 PM EDT2012-05-21 21:41:10 GMT
(05/21/12) - It's been nearly 20 years since charter schools entered the public school landscape in Michigan. Opinions vary on the impact charter schools have had on Michigan's educational system, but
Opinions vary on the impact charter schools have had on Michigan's educational system, but former Governor John Engler clearly believes it was a step in the right direction.
Monday, May 21 2012 5:33 PM EDT2012-05-21 21:33:36 GMT
(05/21/12) - He says the federal tax code is too complicated and out-of-date. As chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Mid-Michigan Congressman Dave Camp has been overseeing an overhaul of the
He says the federal tax code is too complicated and out-of-date. As chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Mid-Michigan Congressman Dave Camp has been overseeing an overhaul of the tax code.
Monday, May 21 2012 5:21 PM EDT2012-05-21 21:21:50 GMT
(05/21/12) - A 6-year-old Saginaw County boy was injured in a weekend explosion. It happened Saturday at a mobile home on Apollo Drive in Buena Vista Township. Firefighters say the boy was putting
A 6-year-old boy is recovering after an attempt to warm up some food in a microwave oven ended with an explosion.
