So, I managed to forget my login name, and I've been generally busy. So, for the 2 people that might actually be watching this, sorry...

This week marks the Detroit Auto Show, otherwise known as the North American International Auto Show. It is Detroit's time to shine, though, apparently most visitors from other countries are afraid to leave their hotel rooms.

Everyone is talking about the Camaro concept. Personally, I don't like the front end. Something isn't right about it. It is just a concept car, and I imagine the production version will look better (just like the progression of the 2005 Mustang from concept to production).

The Ford Edge is a really nice blend of car and SUV. Its Ford's latest entry in the crossover utility market. Everyone says its based on the Mazda 6, but it actually has a unique MacPherson Strut front suspension. I think the thing is going to sell very well.

The Japanese companies and GM showed off their new B-car competitors. Those are cars like the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, and Chevy Aveo. Talk about right time for small cars. It goes to show that if you have flexible manufacturing and intelligent marketing people, you can quickly enter a market. You have to believe that the Japanese companies were forecasting an eventual uptick in US gas prices, and these cars are part of their strategy. I think GM just got lucky. Once again, Ford is playing catchup. It goes like the old adage: Ford is a fast follower.

I wish Ford would actually produce the small Bronco that was shown at the 2004 auto show. Instead, 4x4 afficionados are salivating at the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. I freaking love this truck...it is such a great execution of styling vs. functionality, and at $21K, it is priced right. My buddy Kris is definately going to buy one.

I am not a huge fan of the Camry. It is kind of like the McCar if you ask me. People are saying the new version is more stylish, but my God is that front end ugly. The interior really goes upmarket, which makes me wonder what they are going to charge for it. An ex-girlfriend's mom bought a ~ 2003 Camry XLE 4-cylinder for $26,000. And the damned thing didn't even have leather, aluminum wheels, or a V6. At that price you can get a loaded Ford Fusion, which I think is a much better value proposition.

I'm cleaning up my basement right now, and I found auto show brochures going back to 1994. One of the most interesting ones (to me) was for the 1996 Taurus. At the time, Ford outsold all other midsize cars (including Camry, Accord). They introduced the 1996 Taurus and called it revolutionary. Too bad it was freaking hideous. In my mind, the '96 Taurus marked the beginning of the end of Ford as a "car" company, and it began the start of Ford as a "truck and SUV" company. It was such an utter failure that Ford seened to give up on making good cars until very recently.

In other car news...I had the pleasure of driving my Lincoln in an ice storm last weekend. No matter how good my traction control and snow tires are, RWD is a bit scary on glare ice. At one point I was going 10 mph up a hill and started going sideways. There was a van sliding BACKWARDS down the hill. Scary. I made it to class about 1 hour late. AWD would have been nice, but if I only need it once or twice a year, it isn't worth the tradeoff in fuel economy.