So much has changed in the past twelve months. In 2008 the Auto Show press preview proved the source of great optimism and fun. Journalists sipped premium beer and munched on high-end hor-d’oerves as they contemplated the far-off auto future that would have many more hybrids and other technologies on the road that would help solve the looming energy crisis and the ongoing need for safer vehicles.  A scant 3 months later, $4 gasoline and $5 diesel sent the auto market reeling. A financial crisis followed that threw people out of work, dried up lending and dealt a near knockout blow to the auto industry as a whole, and to the American auto industry in particular.

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A much more somber mood prevailed this year at the New York International Auto Show with smaller displays, fewer high-tech gadgets and giveaways. Conversations with manufacturer representatives focused on the fact that they were still in business. Mazda’s president, Takashi Yamanouchi made note of his company’s continued investment in research and development and $500 million in positive cash flow in the first quarter of this year. VW president Stephan Jacoby said that the times are challenging. If the times challenge an automaker with a lineup of small, high-mileage vehicles including the phenomenal Green Car of the Year, the Jetta diesel, imagine what must be happening to those carmakers less prepared.

No need to imagine, just go to the previews of the U.S. makers. GM, in the most trouble these days, talked about the GMC, Pontiac, Buick grouping and what they’re going to do over the next couple years. What new product to respond to the troubling times did the world’s second largest automaker reveal? How about a crossover SUV that gets the world-beating fuel economy of 20-mpg city? The new GMC Terrain features unique styling touches like fender flares. It’s no great shakes in the looks department, and the question must be asked, "...do we need new SUVs now?" We think not. There’s hope with the new Volt to make its appearance in LATE 2010 and the new Chevy Cruze that will be available in 2011. In the meantime you get the GM Total Confidence Plan that will give you up to 9 months payment protection on your shiny new vehicle up to $5,000 if you lose your job. You also get a 5-year, 100,000-mile warranty and one year of On-Star free if you buy now. Anything to sell a car.

Chrysler, soon to be the possession of Italian maker Fiat, pending government approval, debuted a new Jeep. That’ll help when gas hits $4 a gallon again. You should be able to buy a small, high-mileage vehicle at your Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealer soon. It’s just going have a Fiat name on the hood.

Ford, the only U.S. maker to shun government bailout money, revealed some things that we actually need. A new Fusion hybrid should be available this spring. Lots of bold graphics on the vehicle and displays let everyone know that the hybrid Fusion is the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America. A new performance Fusion with 365 horsepower gleaned through the use of Eco-Boost technology should be available by late summer. If you thought the “Eco” referred to some new environmentally friendly technology, banish that idea from your mind. It merely means a combination of direct fuel injection and turbo charging. The Euro model Festiva should cross to our shores in LATE 2010, if we’re still here. 

VW showed off a new performance small car (the GTI), the latest version of the Golf (available with a high mileage diesel engine) and a beautiful convertible concept car. VW will soon open a new $1 billion production facility (what we call a factory) in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Mercedes Benz had a live band with Jazz singer Diane Reeves on hand to introduce a hybrid version of the ML 450. It’s the company’s first hybrid, but seems wasted in another attempt to help clean up an SUV. Why not showcase the technology on a smaller, lighter vehicle that would reap much better mileage?  The company also showed the beautiful new E-Class, whose front end bears a strong resemblance to the uber-expensive Maybach. A range of engines can be slipped under the new E’s hood, but we were most impressed by the Diesel version that gets 22 mpg city and pumps out a tire melting 400 pound feet of torque. Good mileage and great acceleration. What a combo!

For the performance enthusiasts, Porsche has a new 911 with an automatic transmission that shifts super fast and whose name we challenge anyone to spell correctly.

Mitsubishi has a new Lancer sportback that should help those who need more utility in their vehicles, but don’t want an SUV.

Subaru, the only car company whose sales went up in 2008, unveiled a new Legacy and a new Outback. Nice, practical cars that have received evolutionary updates that keep them in the middle of the good-car pack. 

Kia’s intro featured a lot of shtick with its top two designers placed in “pods” that revealed their thoughts when designing the new Forte Koup. Whatever they were thinking of, they came up with a good-looking car that should have decent power and fuel economy. Kia will also have a new production facility up and running in West Point, Georgia in the near future.

We noted the words of Mazda’s president earlier. He also mentioned his company will introduce 6 all-new or heavily redesigned models over the next 18 months. New CX-7s and CX-9s were on hand (new SUVs, whoopee!). So was the new 3 turbo, now one of the fastest front-wheel-drive cars available. Once through this painful period, Mazda expects to have thirty percent better fuel economy throughout its product line in the next 5 years thanks to better gasoline and diesel engines. It’s what the company is calling “sustainable zoom-zoom.”

Honda chose to talk about its new pet friendly Element. The company says that Americans will spend about $52 billion on pets in the next 2 years and they’re trying to capitalize on that trend with foldout ramps, a cargo area fan and leash anchors, all to help families and Fido get down the road safely.

With my biker background, I was most impressed with the new model motorcycles from Confederate Motors. Designer Edward Jacobs was on hand to relate his design philosophy on these beautiful new bikes. Materials are first-rate and include Kevlar, aluminum and LEDs. Three models are on hand for you to see, the Wraith, Fighter and Hellcat Combat, priced at $87,500, $92,000 and $110,000 respectively. Don’t think a motorcycle could be worth that much? Go see them on the lower level all the way at the back.

Despite the gloom and doom, the Auto Show remains fun. Nothing like lots of shiny new cars to get the blood boiling and thoughts of Spring dancing in our heads.

Until next year, happy motoring!