Detroit Auto Show a Glimpse of Our Automotive Future

The North American International Auto Show – also known as the NAIAS, or, as we like to call it, the Detroit Auto Show – opens to the public today.  The event has already been open to media and industry insiders for a few days, so news has been trickling out about advanced new vehicles and safety technology.  It’s an exciting time for the auto industry and for the NAIAS, which for several years recently lacked some of the panache that has come to be expected for an auto show staged in the world’s traditional automotive capital.

In fact, many manufacturers probably welcome the chance to talk about something other than high-profile recalls and scandals.  Riding a record year for US car sales, there’s no doubt car makers want to focus on some positive developments.

While vehicle safety doesn’t always get a starring role at the NAIAS, the introduction of not-too-distant future technologies always creates a buzz.  In order for these snazzy concept cars to make it to the road, important safety questions have to be figured out by engineers and designers.  One of the big questions in the near future will be how to handle self-driving cars as they become more prevalent on our roadways.

If you’re in Detroit this weekend, stop by the auto show and see what the future of vehicular travel looks like.  But when you get to the car dealer, be sure to double check those safety ratings.