“400-mile total driving range
40-mile all-electric range with zero fuel consumption and zero tailpipe emissions
Jeep® Patriot EV joins the growing portfolio of electric-drive vehicles being developed by Chrysler LLC.”

You can sort of understand why Nissan decided to pull out of the Detroit Auto Show, er North American International Auto Show. For carmakers, these are the worst of times and the worst of times. But The New York Times reports that Nissan went on to strong-arm their Detroit area dealers into staying home as well. The locals had come up with a plan to staff a Nissan show presence on their own dime. Corporate’s stated reason for weaseling-out back of NAIAS in November: they had “no major new products to show.” And furthermore “the current economic conditions will impact the shows’ marketing effectiveness.” Nissan used those same reasons to back out of the Chicago Auto Show. But wait, it gets stranger. Nissan spokesdude Brian Bockman said that Chicago is back on after corporate “worked with our Chicago-area dealers and came up with a good creative solution that we could maintain a presence while still having an eye toward the challenging market out there.” One function of these regional auto shows: get potential customers out looking at the goods and falling in love. In fact, Nissan’s Detroit area dealers are pretty chapped about missing the shot at their traditional post auto show sales up-tick. The question is: why it is great for the Chicago dealers to put on a presence, but not OK for Detroit’s already challenged Nissan dealers to do the same? Could it be that Nissan corporate a stick it to all things Detroit agenda? Does Chicago’s home town status for the new President-elect have something to do with this? Damn strange. Any Nissan insiders care to share the real story?

In a sure sign that the party’s over, the Detroit Show’s best free party isn’t even happening this year. In past years, Chrysler has treated journalists to all they cared to each and drink each night at the Firehouse restaurant and bar across the street from Cobo hall. With senior execs tending bar, no less. And to remind the press corps of the OEM’s largesse, their press-only blog was call “the Firehouse.” Still is, in fact. Except now the blog’s name (and the frequent emails announcing each post) will remind journalists of the party that isn’t happening. Will harsher reviews result? Not here at TTAC– can’t get any harsher when the subject is a Chrysler (aside from some love for the Challenger). I for one am not looking forward to heading home early after the show. Enjoyed the food, the beer, and meeting up with other journalists. No more, unless one of the upstart Chinese cares to step in and fill the gap. Bummer.

“The whole world shines shit and calls it gold,” remarked Michael Steintorf, the savvy chief of staff for The Wire’s fictional mayor of Baltimore. Which goes a long way towards explaining the one-word job description of auto show “talent.” As part of its ongoing effort to document the lifestyle formerly known as Detroit, the Freep has a list today of notable former auto show talent. And boy does that list say it all about the career opportunities for auto show personalities. Pam Dawber of “Mork and Mindy,” OJ Simpson murder non-witness Kato Kaelin, and Tim Allen are the most recognizable names listed. And besides following the luminous paths forged by those visionary performers, new auto show talent will apparently also have a leg up in the worlds of local broadcasting and trophy-wifedom. So we must know: who do you, TTAC’s Best and Brightest, think should take up the thankless task of burnishing Detroit’s products at this year’s Detroit Auto Show? William Hung? Ashley Alexandra Dupre? Barney Frank? Let us know.

Why is Interactivity stressed? What did Toyota and Scion ever do to it?Personally, I’m stressed by Autoblog’s ability to jump on the latest manufacturer press release like a miniature Schnauzer on a peanut butter covered Kong. Still, I don’t think the 800-pound gorilla on the net will stoop low enough to sample– or indeed, republish– Toyota’s official description of its exhibition stands at the don’t call it the Detroit Auto Show. Even though ToMoCo PR-fest will be greener than insert metaphor here. But, as the genie intones in John Papadiuk’s Tales of the Arabian Nights, this amuses me. “These displays include: a ‘Safety and Technology’ kiosk that explains Toyota technology in everyday language; and a series of “Hybrid Synergy Drive® Regenerate Campaign Pods,” which educates consumers on Toyota’s hybrid technology, the benefits and drawbacks of various alternative fuels, and Toyota’s leadership in environmental sustainability.” Pod people unite! Your new Prius is at hand! Toyota hears your cries! “Back by popular demand is ‘Toyota Live,’ a stylized talk show, featuring hosts and guest seating. Introduced last year, ‘Toyota Live’ hosts lead audiences through the latest Toyota news stories as well as engage in a prize-laden Toyota trivia game show.” Of course, Sciontologists will not be neglected.

Read More >

‘There are two engine options, both new and both featuring direct fuel injection to save fuel. The base models get a 182-hp four-cylinder that’s good for 21/30 mpg city/highway with front-wheel drive and 20/27 mpg with all-wheel drive. The V-6 packs 255 hp and returns 18/25 mpg with front-wheel drive and 17/24 with all-wheel drive.”