Chuck Frantjeskos has been a Ford man for years, and after what he saw Saturday at the first public day of the 2009 North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center, he might remain one for years to come.
Frantjeskos, who owns a 2000 Ford F-150 along with a Ford Focus, was impressed with the 2009 F-150, which won the 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year. His 2000 model has 263,000 miles on it, so it's a very real possibility that Frantjeskos, a father of four from Howell, might be ready for the 2009 model.
"I'm in construction, and I think the truck is fantastic," he said, adding that he regularly hauls ladders and toolboxes.
After a year of rescue loans, talks of mergers and slow sales, automakers presented their newest and future products to the public Saturday at Detroit's annual pageant of vehicles.
Frantjeskos particularly liked the small touches on the new truck, including a tailgate step that helps people get onto the bed of the truck. He said if Ford can add those types of things, the company might be able to retain loyal consumers like him and attract new buyers.
"People are trying to get the best value for their dollar right now," said Frantjeskos, who was among the thousands who braved Saturday's daylong snowstorm to attend the show. "The car companies know that to be competitive in a global economy, and especially on the domestic side, they need to have all of the bells and whistles without the sticker shock in the price."
Weather slows crowd
In line with what has been a historically bad year for the car companies, Saturday brought bitterly cold temperatures, along with blowing snow, which led to noticeably smaller crowds compared to the first day of last year's show.
Still, Sam Locricchio, spokesman for the NAIAS, said hundreds of car enthusiasts were lined up outside Cobo's doors more than an hour before the show started Saturday. The crowds remained steady throughout the day, despite the deteriorating weather conditions.
"Living in Detroit, everyone is certainly used to this time of the year," he said. "While it's certainly an inconvenience, I'm sure it's something that everyone is used to."
Those who made their way to the show were glad they did. David Holcomb, 20, is used to trudging through bad weather on his way to classes at Michigan State University.
Once inside Cobo, his camera was focused on Pontiac engines as well as the electric and hybrid car displays. That was a marked change from the last time he attended the show several years ago, when big trucks and vehicles were the most popular displays.
"I'm seeing a lot more cars that are economical on fuel," said Holcomb of Southfield. "That's where the industry is headed. A few years ago the focus was on the big SUV's. Now, everything has to do with electric cars and hybrids."
Still, there were some who were content to look at a more typical, gasoline-powered car. Jerry Weir, 70, of Armada drives a 2002 Mercury Sable and will probably get another Sable when the time is right.
He said he was not impressed, however, with the battery-powered cars that have garnered the most attention.
"I've worked in plants all my life, and we've always had to recharge batteries that power the hi-lo and forklifts. Maybe I'll get a Ford Fusion," he said.
New designs turn heads
It didn't look like a Ford Taurus at first, but the redesigned 2010 model caught the eye of Curtis and Tammy Reed of Pontiac. The sleek angles made for a futuristic design that looked like something more common on a foreign car.
Curtis Reed, 32, is a corporate employee at GM. He said overall, the domestic automakers are starting to incorporate better designs that will likely lure more buyers.
He said he saw great things on Saturday, but it will take time before consumers come back to the domestic carmakers.
"In terms of design, I think all of the domestic automakers have stepped up," he said.
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