The North American International Auto Show, held in Detroit each year, is the traditional home of the so called ‘Big Three’ US car makers. In the past, each manufacturer would try desperately to out-size, out-muscle, out-launch and out-spend each other in a spectacular show of brashness. This year was understandably different. Ford’s star was an all-new Focus, General Motors a new Aveo (albeit in concept RS trim) and Chrysler… well Chrysler didn’t even have a press conference. The best they could do was stick a Chrysler grille onto a Lancia Delta and call it quits.

The new Aveo looks promising and in standard form should pack enough visual funk to go head to head with the Fiesta. Editor Pierre, a Detroit attendee, reckons the RS concept that GM had on show owed more to Opel’s Corsa OPC. Beneath its wedgy nose sits a 103 kW 1.4-litre turbocharged Ecotec motor that will also power the Cruze when it goes on sale in America soon.

GM’s other concepts of note were the GMC Granite – an ‘urban utility vehicle’ and the Cadillac XTS Platinum, suggesting a ‘new paradigm for the luxury sedan of the future.’ Of the two though, it’s the compact Granite that carries the most brand-expanding potential. For a marque that builds American-sized bakkies, SUVs and crossovers, the 4m-long, 1.4-litre turbocharged Granite is revolutionary, with an exterior design that mixes tough and cool like nothing else on earth.

As for the Cadillac, it’s not radical but there is a sharp elegance about the slightly cab forward profile. Whether it’s bold enough to stand out amongst the Jaguar XJs of this world remains to be seen. At least the interior design, materials and finishes proposed by the concept compete with Germany’s finest. The concept is also a showcase for GM’s new plug-in hybrid system which combines a 3.6L V-6 Direct Injection petrol engine with electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack. Reports are that a production version of this uber Caddy is set to replace both the slow-selling STS and DTS models.

Chrysler's badge-engineered Lancia was labelled as a 'design study' and no indication was given as to when or if the car would go on sale in the US. With many of its new models at least 18 months away, it's tough times for Chrysler. At least Fiat Group's influence meant they had other 'models' on stand to cheer them up.