This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
As we just noted in our rather last, rather sobering post, there isn't going to be a lot of gravy at this year's North American International Auto Show...but that doesn't mean there won't be a lot of high quality meat, especially for the greens.
In fact, I don't think I've been this excited about an auto show since I started blogging. What will we be seeing? Well, I can't say for certain, but we can start by skimming the surface of what we know already.
BYD will be showing off the world's first production plug-in vehicle, and while it won't be available in the U.S. until 2011, it's pretty impressive that China managed to beat both the U.S. and Japan to the punch on plug-in hybrids.
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Fisker, will be unveiling it's production plug-in Karma. The car, which made a huge splash last year in concept form, is like a cheaper, more practical, more beautiful Telsa Roadster.
Toyota will be unveiling the 2010 Prius, which, according to reports, will be restyled, larger and have better gas mileage than ithe current version. They'll also be discussing the plug-in Prius, and an all-electric car (the FT-EV) based on the iQ.
Honda will be showing off it's new Insight, which will bring the cost of hybrids down to a base price of just $20,000. And it looks pretty fanstastic too.
Cadillac is apparently working on a shiny new E-Flex prototype, smaller (and more likely to be produced) than the Provoq crossover, a hydrogen E-Flex concept they showed off last year. Cadillac has promised that this new coupe is going to knock the socks off of car design fans...I just want to know how it's going to be powered.
Ford will remind us all tha the new Fusion hybrid has extremely fantastic fuel economy, but I'm holding out hope that they've got something more interesting in store for us as well.
Chevy will continue to talk about the Volt, of course, but also about the 2010 Chevy Spark, a micro car based on the Beat. The Spark could take the place of the Aveo as a sportier, more upscale small car for Chevrolet...that is, if they decide to sell it in the U.S..
Dodge will tout its Tesla Clone, the Dodge Circuit, with impressive specs and an all-electric drive. Of course, Dodge might also be out of business before it can get the car on the road.
Lexus will debut a dedicated hybrid, the HS250h, which I'm looking forward to seeing. We're not sure when it will hit dealerships, but the idea, basically, is a luxury Prius.
If that's not enough meat for you, I don't know what is! Plus, that's just the confirmed or leaked stuff, it's possible that the manufacturers have actually kept something under their hats this year (though, the past few years has proven that unlikely.)
This blog first appeared at EcoGeek.