Will SJ Show Be Auto's Last Stand?
By DAMIAN TRUJILLO
Updated 12:44 PM PST, Fri, Jan 9, 2009
This could be it for domestic auto makers.
Ford, GM, and Chrysler are all at the Silicon Valley International Auto show, showcasing what they hope will be their future.
For Ford, it's the Fusion Hybrid, a sedan that can get you 41 miles per gallon in the city.
For Chrysler, the must-see display was the ZEO.
Dodge describes the ZEO as a four-passenger sports wagon. It's an electric car touted as going from zero to 60 in 6 seconds. The ZEO is a concept at this point, with no release date or price.
GM rolled out the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid.
"We are really looking forward to the future," said Ford Spokeswoman Rachel Smith. Smith said Ford is "poised for growth in the future."
Ford is the only domestic car maker who didn't take the government bailout money.
"We created a plan two years ago , and started acting on that plan in anticipation of a downturn," said Smith.
Still, Smith says Ford, and most other car makers saw a 30 percent drop in sales in December.
So they're hoping shoppers will see how The Big Three plan to bounce back, and remain competitive.
Toyota, Honda, Lexus, and BMW are among the other options for people doing a little window shopping this weekend at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.
Most are also showcasing their hybrid models.
For all the doom and gloom predicted for the auto industry, there is one bright spot.
Actually several.
They're inside the new 2009 Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe.
With a push of a button, hundreds of individually hand placed led's light up in the ceiling of the cab, creating a 'starry night' effect.
Think low hanging planetarium.
Too bad you'll have to reach for the moon to pay for it.
That feature runs around $12,000.
But who cares when you're already shelling out $400,000 plus for the car itself?
First Published: Jan 8, 2009 4:23 PM PST
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