Ford Motor's Alan Mulally stands along side the 2011 Ford Focus GT during the 2011 NAIAS. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

Compact Electric Cars Dominant at North American International Auto Show Preview

By Karen Hudson Samuels/Tell Us Detroit

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - A new era of compact electric cars and environmentally smart vehicles greeted the international automotive press gathering in Detroit for media preview days at the 23rd North American International Auto Show.

The debut of concepts cars is a major event and this year the competition is in small, gas/electric hybrid powered vehicles.

The new Honda Civic Si, goes on sale in 2012 with a hybrid and natural gas and conventional gasoline system to power its drivetrain; from Chevrolet the Sonic is the smallest vehicle in the General Motors line-up and will be available in the 2012 model year; Toyota unveiled new models of its Prius as a plug-in version of its gas-electric hybrid that goes on sale in 2012.

For pure power and style, the new 201112 BMW 650i Convertible is a winner; the fabric top can drop into place in 19 seconds, but the price tag is steep, just over $91,000.



With a starting price of under $20,000 the new Volkswagen Passat will surprise passengers with its larger size, generous leg room and clean diesel TDI engine; the first time VW has offered this option in five years.

Ford Motor Company introduced the Vertex, concept car, a crossover with a sporty exterior and generous internal cargo space; there is speculation that the Vertek will eventually replace the Ford Escape SUV.

Alan Mulally, Ford CEO entered Cobo Arena driving down a ramp in the 2012 Focus ST in a showcase that sent a clear message to the global press, Ford is looking to lead in worldwide sales of compact, hybrid and all electric vehicles.

In all three future electric and hybrid vehicles rolled onto the platform as Ford introduced an electric version of the Ford Focus and hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of its the C-Max minivan, available in 2012.

To build the next generation of Ford “electrified vehicles” some 7,000 jobs will be created, 4,000 at plants in the U.S. in 2011, an additional 2,500 new manufacturing jobs are expected in 2012. The salaried workforce is targeted to increase by 750 in over the next two years, primarily in engineering where expertise in battery and advanced technology will be needed.