Jeremiah 29:11

Concepts, Crossovers Turn Toward Future At Auto Show

POSTED: 1:36 pm PDT October 4, 2006
UPDATED: 6:36 pm PDT October 4, 2006

LOS ANGELES -- Futuristic concept cars and crossover vehicles will be on display this weekend when the Orange County Auto Show opens at the Anaheim Convention Center.


The show is an opportunity for automakers to showcase their 2007 models.

Organizer Michael Caudill said crossovers, a term used to describe sport utilities that use car chassis, might sell well in Southern California. The vehicles combine the features of cars and SUVs.

"They don't hit you as bad at the pump," Caudill said. "You get the versatility of a big sport utility vehicle. They're coming out with ones that are more sporty."

Ford's Lew Echlin said trucks and SUVs remain popular in Southern California, but he has high hopes for his company's new crossover.

"They are fuel sipping," said Echlin. "They're great at commute. But they also give Californians exactly what they want, which is balance and quality of life."

Concept vehicles scheduled for display include the Chrysler Akino, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Hornet, Mitsubishi Street Raider, Hyundai HCD9 and Mitsubishi Eclipse Ralliart.

The show also features a collection of Lamborghinis. The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, which provides 60 more hp than last year's model, will make its debut at the show.

Maserati and Ferrari also will have a collection on display.

Hybrid vehicles at the show include Nissan's first gasoline-electric vehicle, the Altima Hybrid.

Nissan's offering comes as Toyota Motor Corp. continues to reap benefits from its fuel-efficient lineup. Toyota sold 25 percent more vehicles last month than it did in September 2005.

General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG each saw their sales slip by a few percentage points, while Ford Motor Co.'s sales gained 4.7 percent, the automakers said Tuesday.

Overall, automakers sold 1.35 million cars and trucks in the U.S. last month, up 1.9 percent from September 2005, when sales were off for some automakers following Hurricane Katrina and a discount-intensive summer.

RLSH700

Crossovers appears to be where the market is heading. I don't like the Horonet, it isn't a real DCX product. As I just said over at DF "if I want a Chery, I will move to China!"