If you were asked to name any auto shows renowned for their environmental design and product unveils, Detroit wouldn’t even appear on the radar judging by recent years’ events. Trucks and muscle cars have been its mainstay for so long that anything smaller or greener barely got a look in. But walking round the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) – an event that some industry watchers weren’t even sure would take place given the collapse of Detroit big guns GM and Chrysler in the middle of 2009 – felt like an exhibition in transformation. Sure there were still big cars – from specials editions of the Ford Mustang and Dodge Viper muscle cars to large luxury and performance saloons like the Cadillac XTS and Buick Regal GS – but Detroit also saw a greater green and small car focus in 2010.

The US launch of the European-spec compact and frugal Ford Focus hatch and saloon was arguably the biggest news of the show and the debut of a 37,000 sq ft ‘Electric Avenue’ exhibit in the main show space featuring almost 20 electric vehicles including the production-ready Mitsubishi iMiEV and Nissan Leaf EVs was another pointer. Electric prototypes of the Fiat 500 and Volvo C30 on their respective stands plus in the Michigan Hall the return of the EcoXperience arena dedicated to electric drive opportunities reinforced the eco theme. The times they are a-changin’. Read on for Green Car Design’s report from Detroit to see how much and how quickly…

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