Car makers appealed to Americans' deep love of SUVs and trucks on Monday at the Detroit Auto Show, unveiling a host of choices from luxurious to utilitarian, while also beefing up the humble sedan. From European car makers to American icons, there were dozens of new offerings for the North American market. While sedans and electric cars were still in the game, the industry clearly favored the large SUVs and trucks that are the source of high profit margins and preferred by US consumers two to one. In some cases, manufacturers tweaked vehicles to make them slightly roomier and taller than those of the prior generation, in response to consumers who enjoy a greater sense of command over the road. Rebecca Lindland of Kelley Blue Book. Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said. With gas prices still affordable, the economy booming, and unemployment low, US consumers are preferring higher-priced, amenity-laden, large vehicles compared to more modest family sedans and small compacts. The auto show's best truck award this year went to the enormous Lincoln Navigator SUV.
Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Cox Automotive. The top five selling vehicles in the US in 2017 were Ford's F-150 pickup, GM's Chevrolet Silverado pickup, FCA's Ram 1500 pickup, the Toyota RAV4 SUV and the Nissan Rogue SUV, in that order. These and other large models are highly profitable for car makers. Unveilings commenced at a rapid clip on Monday, even after some major car makers debuted new models over the weekend. Fiat Chrysler offered an updated Ram pickup, boasting of new multifunction USB ports, a 12-inch vertical touchscreen display and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, among other features. In an effort to add some excitement to a waning sedan market, Volkswagen revealed a new Passat -- its higher-end sedan -- with more than 20 design changes and a sportier option. BMW premiered a new coupe version of its i8 hybrid electric vehicle, promising enhanced power and range.
The auto show gave a boost to three models by awarding its annual best of the year distinctions. The 2018 Honda Accord was awarded best car of the year, helping the Japanese company's family sedan best its top rival, the Toyota Camry -- also a finalist for the award. Among utility cars, Volvo's XC60 SUV was the winner, a much-needed boost for the Chinese-owned Swedish car company as it aims to reassert itself into the American market. Ford's massive Navigator won in the truck category, in part because of its towing capability, an awards representative said. Some automakers tried to stand out in a crowded field of debuts by employing flash and glamour. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger emerged from a redesigned Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV on Sunday night. GM brought out a redesigned Silverado on Saturday against a backdrop of earlier models dating back decades -- emphasizing its roots in American history. GM's design chief Michael Simcoe, while introducing the Silverado. He said consumers are increasingly looking to pair that muscle with modern amenities.
There鈥檚 the basic Normal setup, which provides an ideal balance for city and highway cruising, and Eco, which optimizes everything for improved fuel consumption. The latter comes in handy in slow moving traffic if you have the start/stop function that comes with the automatic transmission. Like any sporty model, the GLI also benefits from a Sport mode, which is tuned for more dynamic throttle and shift response and a slightly more aggressive exhaust note. Finally, you can use the Custom feature to adjust steering, throttle, front differential, engine note, and climate control settings individually for your very own bespoke driving mode. The 35th Anniversary model adds a fifth Comfort mode. The Jetta GLI might not be a track-ready car, but it rides on a modern, independent suspension setup that brings together a strut-type layout in the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear. Volkswagen doesn鈥檛 provide much info, but it mentions that the Jetta GLI comes fitted with the same VAQ electronically controlled, torque sensing, limited-slip differential and variable ratio electric steering as the Golf GTI.
