The Driving Chronicles 2:NAIAS ’09…well sort of
The premiere January event of Detroit has come–the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Detroiter’s and people from all over come to this event to see cars, show off, or just have a good time. I go during the day, on employee day, which is during the week, so I avoid the bigger crowds.
This year, I have big dreams for myself that may or may not be realized. The hope is that I will actually get a license this year. I had saved up for lessons and everything last year, but I ended up using that money, and then some, for an attorney for you know what. That kind of set the goal back. I have not accrued the money again yet for lessons, but I have hope.
As a result, I tried to experience NAIAS from the perspsective of a potential buyer. Imagine that–actually going to NAIAS to look at cars that you might buy (believe me, most people who go are not buyers in the near future).
If, when I finally do learn how to drive, I buy a new car as my first car (big if), then it will more than likely be a GM of some sort. Why? I kind of feel an obligation. General Motors kept food on my family’s table for nearly 40 years. Besides, I can still use my father’s or sister’s discount to get a good deal on a GM. At worse, I will probably buy from the big three so that I can live with the illusion that I am actually giving back to my community and economy.
So, some of the highlights that I actually paid close attention to that were in a reasonably poor person’s price range were the Chevy Aveo and the Saturn Astra. Well, one of these could be me by the end of the year…
This:
…not so much. A girl can dream, right?
I have never really been one for what my family calls the football-shaped or shoe-shaped cars like the Aveo hatchback and Astra, so I am leaning more towards the Aveo Sedan. Now when it comes time for it, my wallet may be leaning in another direction, like in the direction of the used car lot towards whatever hoopty I can afford. LOL
Another thing that stood out at NAIAS was the Cadillac Converj Concept Car. The Converj has no side view or rear view mirrors. Instead, it has cameras, and the feed comes to a monitor inside the car. It is also electric, and just plain looks cool. But in reality, it is probably just another car that will never be made.
I get really excited at NAIAS with the electric vehicles, since I am hoping that electric vehicles make a comeback to save the earth. But really, how long have we been waiting on the Chevy Volt to be produced? It is supposed to be here finally in 2010, but with a price tag that will likely cause the car to not have as much impact as is needed to make much of a difference in the electric car market and purchase patterns of electric cars.
However, there are some electric cars that are more a reality, like the Tesla Roadster. I had never heard of Tesla, for whom the motor company was named, until I saw the movie The Prestige (excellent movie by the way). When looking up Nikola Tesla to learn more about him after seeing the movie, I stumbled upon Tesla Motors.
The Tesla Roadster is battery powered/electric and has a pretty sleek look itself. Unfortunately, the Roadsters are not yet being mass produced, there is a long waiting list with a twelve month wait period, and the starting price is $109,000 making it just another toy for the rich. As of December 2008, it had been confirmed that the hundredth Tesla Roadster had been delivered to its owner, so Tesla has a long way to go.
I long for an electric car that is mass produced, reasonably priced for the average American, and has a more realistic miles per charge value. Until then, I guess I just wait.
Here are the other shots from the show:
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