Since the Dallas Auto Show was first conceived in 1982, it has grown into one of the most highly anticipated events in North Texas. The five-day show had more than 550,000 square feet of new cars, trucks and SUVs at the Dallas Convention Center. From April 2-6, 2008, more than 40 manufacturers displayed over 700 vehicles for an audience of more than 400,000 auto buffs.
Show chairman Kurt Fegraeus said, "The Dallas Auto Show really is a 'must see' event. The consumer has the greatest of opportunities to view all the latest and greatest of every manufacturer, all under one roof. If someone is shopping for the perfect car to buy, this is the ultimate time to compare everything on their shopping list. Vehicles get faster, more technologically advanced and more luxurious every year. The Dallas Auto Show is a great venue for manufacturers to unveil what they have in store for consumers in the years to come," he said.
One of the most popular cars at the show was an adorable little car that looked like a toy, the smart "fortwo," the shortest and most compact automobile currently in production. On the other end of the spectrum, a gaggle of (mostly male) gawkers gazed longingly at a vehicle that was carefully cordoned off from the masses, the 2009 Aston Martin DBS (as seen in James Bonds' latest film).
Future cars included 2009 models of the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Chevrolet Traverse, Silverado Hybrid, Hummer H3T, Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, Chrysler Imperial concept, Dodge Durango Hybrid, Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F150, F150 Ford Works, Ford Flex, GMC Sierra Hybrid, Infiniti FX, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Genesis, Mitsubishi Galant, Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe and Spyder, Nissan GT-R, Nissan Maxima, Nissan Forum minivan concept, Subaru Forester, and the Chrysler Imperial, Suzuki Equator RMZ-4 and Suzuki Makai concept vehicles.
Popular specialty vehicles included the Chevrolet Camaro Bumblebee, a glass-roofed Ford Mustang and Mustang Bullitt; and Mitsubishi rally racing vehicles the Pajero, Starion, Evolander, an '81 Lancer Turbo 2000 and the 500. Test drives in the Toyota Tundra, Tacoma, or FJ Cruiser were available at the Toyota Trucks off-road on-site adventure, and the Mitsubishi Ride N' Drive event let show attendees drive their latest models like the 2008 Outlander and the 2009 Galant.
My personal favorite (chosen from those vehicles people can actually afford to buy and drive) was the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey. This stylish vehicle offers a great combination of versatility and flexibility in a sporty package while earning 5-star ratings in government sponsored safety tests.
And who wouldn't fall in love with the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, which would appear to have it all: beauty, comfort, and (a strange new word for this luxury vehicle) economy.
The Chevrolet Traverse was a not-too-distant future car that I really liked. A boldly styled crossover, with passenger and cargo carrying abilities usually found in much larger SUVs, and with styling inspired by the 2008 Chevy Malibu, the Traverse will start production later this year at General Motors Spring Hill, Tennessee manufacturing facility.
Jo Ann Holt is a journalist and car writer based in Dallas, Texas, and a member of Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA); contact joannholt@charter.net .
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