Product: The Focus of the 1996 Detroit Auto Show

By Steven D. Gatt, Automotive Editor

From start to finish, domestic and foreign makers alike are focusing on their redesigned or all-new product for 1996 and the future. This year the show was bigger than ever with more than 700 new vehicles and concept cars to see. Since I obviously cannot tell you about everything at the show, I encourage you to go see it for yourself. These are the exhibits not to miss:

General Motors: The giant corporation is betting on its' 1997 models being the savior of the company. Each of four divisions has an all-new vehicle based on the W platform (an internal designation for a mid-size family sedan).

Chevy, the most value conscious division at GM has the new Malibu. For an all-new design it is boring, it looks just like a small Lumina. Chevy is also showing the new Sportside version of the S-10 compact pick-up and the third door extended cab versions of both the S-10 and C/K full-size pick-up.

Pontiac, the excitement division of GM, has the Grand Prix. This very aggressive design looks like the concept from last year with only minor revisions. The Grand Prix and the Oldsmobile Intrigue are the only two W-cars with interesting designs.

Speaking of Oldsmobile, their new Intrigue is a very nice looking entry-level luxury car. The Intrigue carries on the Aurora styling theme. Unfortunately, the Intrigue is a 1998 model and will not be available until February 1997. Oldsmobile is also now showing the new Bravada, its sport utility entry, in production form. This 1996 model will be available in dealers a couple of months.

Buick's W-car is the all-new Century that has desperately needed a makeover for years. Buick generally appeals to the older marketplace with its styling themes. The Park Avenue and LeSabre are also being redesigned at Buick and the division is carrying the styling themes set forth in the Riviera to the sedans.

Saturn redesigned the exterior of their sedans for 1996. Combined with the new interior from last year, it seems like an all-new car. Watch for a review of the new Saturn sedan soon.

Cadillac, General Motors luxury car division, introduced one of its most important new cars. The Catera is an entry-level-luxury-sedan designed to compete head-on with the Japanese and should fare well with a good exterior design and excellent interior room. The Catera will be a big test for GM because it is the fruition of a cooperative effort between Opel and Cadillac. (Opel is one of GM's European divisions.)

Highlights of the GM displays are the: Oldsmobile Intrigue, Cadillac Catera, Pontiac Grand Prix, the Chevy third door extended cab trucks and the worlds largest key fob at the Buick stand.

Ford Motor Company: You can get a look at the all-new 1997 F-150, the all-new 1997 Escort and the 1996 Taurus in the Ford area. These three products are the key to Ford's future. In their respective categories, they are each number one sellers. Ford is also showing a concept car called Indigo a V12 powered roadster with open front wheels.

Mercury division finally gets a luxury-sport-utility-vehicle. The Mercury Mountaineer is a revised Explorer with a V8 and full-time four-wheel drive. The 1997 Tracer is also being shown.

Lincoln has the Sentinel concept car that has styling cues from the next generation Town Car, but it is ugly, looking more like Batman's family car than anything.

The vehicles to see at the Ford display are the new F-150, Escort, Taurus and the Indigo concept car even though it will never make it to production.

Chrysler: The LHX concept car is on display; a vehicle that represents the future of the LH sedans. Though somewhat radical, it could be close to what a production car will be.

Dodge has a plethora of new Viper in one form or another. From the new GTS coupe, to the Indy Pace car replica, to the GTS-R a 700hp racing version. Dodge also has the Indy Pace Truck, NASCAR SuperTruck and Skip Barber driving school cars on display to round out its racing programs. The Intrepid ESX concept is another LH sedan variation, unlike the Chrysler LHX this looks much closer to production.

Plymouth Prowler. 'Nuff said.

Chryslers' Jeep-Eagle division has the new 1997 Wrangler on display. The press conference conveyed that the new Wrangler is a significant improvement. I sure hope so. It is certainly better packaging with dual airbags and built in air conditioning.

At the Chrysler family of displays you should see the: Viper in all versions, Intrepid ESX reality more than concept, and of course, do not miss the Prowler.

For the import makers, I will just mention the vehicles you should not miss, and there are a lot of them.

Lexus has their new LX450 a sport utility based on the popular Toyota Land Cruiser. Lexus also is showing a concept of a future luxury car, a cross between a minivan and a car that could go into production.

Mercedes-Benz is showing the new E-Class sedan and a concept of their forthcoming sport utility vehicle called the AAVision.

BMW has the Z3 roadster seen in the recent James Bond movie GoldenEye. The new 5-series and the McLaren F1 world's fastest production car (estimated top speed of 240mph) are must see items at the BMW stand.

Audi, looking for a big American comeback, has the new A4 and the TTs roadster concept car, which they have decided to produce.

Acura with the new alphanumeric designations is showing the replacement for the Legend coupe the new CL. The TL is there, a replacement for the Vigor, but it is not worth a look.

Porsche. Well, they are just beautiful cars and no auto show trip would be complete without visiting the 911 display.

Lamborghini chopped off the top of the Diablo making it the fastest convertible in the world. Right next to Lamborghini is Vector Automotive with the AV Tech; with the most patriotic paint scheme of the auto show.

Toyota's California design studio produced the MRJ concept car. Similar to the MR2, this concept could go into production if consumer response is great enough.

Aston Martin has the new DB7 and DB7 Volante (convertible) along with the original James Bond car from GoldenEye.

AM General is showing its line of Hummer off road machines, and Land Rover has its luxury sport utility vehicles right next door.

The Center for Creative Studies is displaying its students' talents again with a display of futuristic vehicle drawings and models.

This has to be the best North American International Auto Show ever, with more of everything than ever. The biggest winners are the consumers with more product available now and in the near future. The losers are the boring designs like the Chevy Malibu and the Acura CL.

The most dynamic presentation at the show was Chevy. During the press conference, a video spoof of COPS was aired. After that, they entertained the press with a concept-in-testing 4-door Tahoe State Police package. (Not something I want to see in production anytime soon.)

Chrysler's new products are on the market-they are fully into their product cycle. Ford is just hitting their product launch cycle with the new F-150, Escort and other recent introductions. General Motors is on the verge of a major launch cycle and is showing most of those products now to keep your interest until 1997.

When you go to the show, remember to wear comfortable shoes: your feet will thank you. Also, expect a wait to see the Prowler.