Chrysler, Ford and General Motors are reviving the Detroit Auto Show. Toyota is raising its “soul” of America.

DETROIT – Reduced in terms of space (only one booth occupied) and rescheduled for the fall season on the international event calendar, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit has become a major regional show. With very few exceptions, Toyota is one of these, the shows are animated by local exhibitors, even if they have international appeal, such as the three major auto groups based in the state of Michigan: Chrysler, Ford and General Motors.

President Joe Biden appears in Naias on the first of the two days reserved for the press and before the opening to the public, between 17 and 25 September. Talk to the number one – Carlos Tavares, Bill Ford and Mary Barra – and think about the midterm elections, which take place in November. In his speech he often mentions unions and workers and urges “buy America”. He talks about the environment and defends the importance of electrification for which his administration has allocated 135 billion dollars.

Great news indeed of the Exhibition that also covers Europe, the Ford Mustang, however, keeps only the standard engine, the 5.0-liter V8, among other things the only one that will arrive in the Old Continent, where it is clear that certain units do not cease to please. Among the models shown, large-sized trucks and pick-ups stand out. But also generous SUVs, such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee 30th Anniversary or the Wrangler Willys 4xe. The Stellantis stand hosts vehicles of all kinds from four American brands (Chrysler, Ram and the other three Dodge), but there is still no sign of the expected electric SUVs ahead of the show.

General Motors features zero emissions for three Chevrolet-branded multi-concept vehicles, two from Lincoln and one from Buick. The Bow Tie offers an electric version of the Silverado pick-up, a rival to the Ford F-150 Lightning, which will arrive next year starting at $39,000 with a potential range of 400 miles, and EV versions of the Compact Equinox (from $30,000). ) and the Blazer crossover (from 45,000) which range up to 480 and 515 kilometers is estimated. Prototypes, especially the Lincoln L100 Concept, are still show cars, although the Lincoln Star and Buick Wildcat are presented more realistically.

Toyota aims about their “Americanness” to avoid being looked down upon by foreigners. Each machine on display reminds us that the Japanese giant is a “proud partner” of the US Olympic team and one installation mentions 176,000 workers in the country, 10 Yankee plants and also 4.5 million electric cars that have already been delivered to the United States. , most of them probably in California. Although not particularly in the front row, the fuel cell Mirai and Lexus Rz 450e are shown, while sports models and SUVs look better.

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