DETROIT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The 2010 North America International Auto Show opened Monday at Cobo center in downtown Detroit, the U.S. auto city, with participation of more than 60 automakers worldwide.

 

Visitors are attracted by an Audi A8 sedan during the media preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, the United States, Jan. 11, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Photo Gallery>>>

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood defended the government's loan of 80 billion U.S. dollars to bailout the domestic auto industry.

    LaHood rejected criticism of the government's role. He noted that Obama's support of auto makers was unprecedented and General Motors Co. has paid the first 1 billion U.S. dollars of its 6.7 billion dollars in outstanding government loans. The government swapped about 42 billion dollars for a 61 percent majority equity stake in GM.

    "GM is starting to pay the taxpayers back the money that was loaned to them. That ought to be the message that we are telling people," LaHood said.

    "This industry would not see the bright future that it's seen today, with the roll out of these new products, if it hadn't been for the strong commitment, strong partnership of President Obama," he added.

    He also said General Motors and Chrysler Group LLC have made huge improvements since exiting bankruptcy. "What a difference a year makes," LaHood said, adding: " Today is a new beginning, really for the automobile industry."

    The major focus of the 2010 North American International Auto Show will be new high-technology electric cars -- battery, plug-inhybrid and extended-range electric vehicles. The show has created a special showcase for these products and called it Electric Avenue.

An Audi R8 is on display during the media preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, the United States, Jan. 11, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Photo Gallery>>>

    NAIAS announced the debut of Electric Avenue, a 37,000-square-foot feature on the main floor of the 2010 show that will showcase electric vehicles and technology of both traditional automakers and innovative entrepreneurs. The exhibit area will feature nearly20 vehicles as well as symposiums and special events on the adjacent NAIAS stage.

    Japanese carmaker Toyota unveiled the FT-CH dedicated hybrid concept at the NAIAS. The FT-CH is a concept that would address Toyota's stated strategy to offer a wider variety of conventional hybrid choices to its customers, as it begins to introduce plug-in hybrids (PHVs) and battery electrics (BEVs) in model year 2012, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCHVs) in 2015 in global markets.

     German automaker Volkswagen unveiled its New Compact Coupe, a two-door sporty hybrid concept car which can reach 141 mph, sprint to 60 mph from rest in 8.1 seconds and return 45 miles per gallon.

The new VW NCC Compact Coupe is unveiled during the media preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan 11, 2010.(Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Photo Gallery>>>

    China's electric carmaker BYD also displayed the e6 electric carat NAIAS. e6 is a unique purely electric vehicle, representing a new era in personal transportation. It is an environmentally friendly vehicle with zero pollution and low noise.

    Tim Lee, President of GM International Operation (GMIO), told Xinhua that the government has been very supportive to the auto industry including GM and the U.S. auto industry is on its way back.

    "As we are moving forward, we will repay the loans that we have taken from the government and will move forward strongly as a company. We are very confident," he said.

    GM chairman and chief executive Edward Whitacre told reporters that GM will repay the balance of its 6.7 billion-dollar government loan by June and the government will make money.

    Whitacare said the government bailout was well placed and they will make a lot of money. "GM is on its way back. We'll be back. The government has made a good investment," he said.

    Entering its 22nd year as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world and is one of the largest media events in North America.

A model presents a Maserati GranTwismo Conventible during press preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, the United States, Jan 11, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Photo Gallery>>>

China's electric car displayed at NAIAS 

BYD Auto's e6 is presented during the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan 11, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Photo Gallery>>>

    DETROIT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's first electric carmaker BYD displayed its e6 and F3DM electric vehicles at the North America International Auto Show (NAIAS) which opened in the U.S. auto city of Detroit on Monday.

    Features BYD ferrous battery, the e6 with an expected range per charge cycle of 330 km in cruising mode, an estimated acceleration time from 0-100 km/h in less than 14 seconds and with a projected top speed of 140 km/h. Full story

GM hopes to be profitable in 2010 

    Detroit, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. automaker GM, which exited bankruptcy in June last year, will repay the loans to the U.S. government by mid this year and will be profitable in 2010, GM leaders said at the North America International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on Monday.

    In an exclusive interview with Xinhua just after the opening ceremony of the auto show at the COBO Center in downtown Detroit, Tim Lee, president of GM International Operation (GMIO) said he is confident that GM will come back soon.Full story 

GM announces more electric car markets to open in U.S. 

    DETROIT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The major U.S. automaker GM announced Monday at the North America International Auto Show (NAIAS) that two U.S. states will launch markets for its Volt extended-range electric car.

    Chevrolet boss Jim Campbell told reporters in Detroit that Michigan will join California as launch markets for the Volt extended-range electric car, which goes on sale late this year. Full story

2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe makes official debut at NAIAS

The new Honda CR-Z is unveiled during the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan 11, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Photo Gallery>>>

   DETROIT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe, making its U.S. production debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, introduces sleek styling and sporty handling to the hybrid segment, American Honda Motor Co. announced Monday.

    "The CR-Z is a personal sport hybrid coupe for people with a spirit of adventure and an elevated sense of responsibility toward the environment," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. Full story

German carmaker VW unveils hybrid coupe concept car at Detroit auto show

A new VW NCC Compact Coupe is unveiled during the media preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan. 11, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Photo Gallery>>>

   DETROIT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- German carmaker Volkswagen AG unveiled Monday at North America International Auto Show (NAIAS) its New Compact Coupe, a two-door, four-seat sporty hybrid concept car that can reach 141 mph.

   The sports car can sprint to 60 mph from zero in 8.1 seconds, and return 45 miles per gallon.Full story

Toyota Debuts New Auto Access Seat for Third-generation 2011 Sienna at NAIS 

A Toyota FT-CH Compact Hybrid is on display during the media preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan. 11, 2010.(Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Photo Gallery>>>

    DETROIT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua)-- Japanese automaker Toyota displayed an innovative Auto Access Seat, designed for use in the all-new 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan, for the first time at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIS) opened in Detroit on Monday.

    Toyota is the first automaker in North America to offer a factory-installed, rotating, power ascending and descending lift-up seat. Designed internally, the Auto Access Seat will offer a new level of comfort and convenience to anyone who may need assistance getting in or out of a vehicle. Full story

U.S. gov't to make money on GM rescue, GM CEO says 

    DETROIT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. automaker General Motors Co. chairman and chief executive officer Edward Whitacre said Monday that GM will repay the balance of its 6.7-billion-U.S.-dollar government loan by June and the government will make money.

    Speaking to reporters at the 2010 North America International Auto Show (NAIS) in Detroit, Whitacre said the government bailout was well placed and they will make a lot of money. Full story

Ford Focus unveiled at 2010 NAIS in Detriot

A new Ford Focus is unveiled during the media preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan. 11, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Photo Gallery>>>

    Detroit, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. automaker Ford's CEO Alan Mulally unveiled the all-new Ford Focus at the 2010 North America International Show (NAIS) on Monday.

    The newly unveiled car has been charged with the mission of leading the company's strategy to produce and sell global vehicles at a profit across the world. Full story

U.S. automaker Ford Sweeps Car and Truck awards of the Year at NAIS 

Two new Ford Focus cars are on display during the press preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan. 11, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Photo Gallery>>>

    DETROIT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua)-- Ford swept the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards on Monday at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), winning both prestigious awards for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the 2010 Ford Transit Connect respectively .

    The Ford Fusion Hybrid is America's most fuel-efficient midsize sedan with an EPA-estimated 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway Full story

The new Ford Focus is unveiled during the media preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan. 11, 2010.(Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Photo Gallery>>>

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