Market Shifts to Small, Flashy and Sensible Cars

Automakers have earlier placed their 2007 aces onSUVs and light trucks at the Chevrolet stand, offering
display at the South Florida International Auto Show.estimated city mileage starting about 15 miles per gallon
Regardless of the booming complaints about highand 21 mpg on highways," says Terry McCabe, owner
gasoline prices, fuel-saver vehicles were outshined byof a diesel-powered Volkswagen Beetle.
fast, sensible yet costly gas-guzzlers at the MiamiChevrolet flaunted its Aveo, a compact station wagon
Beach Convention Center. This shift reflects whatpriced at $14,000. It has a rating of 27/37 mpg in city
American enthusiasts really wanted in a vehicle.highways. Chevy also displayed its Camaro concept
Said auto show is flocked by luxury and sportsvehicle. The latter is a streamline version of a muscle
vehicles from BMW, Lexus, Dodge, Hummer,car in the 1960s.
Mercedes-Benz and other auto giants. Dodge ViperHybrids from Toyota, Ford and Honda were also
and Chevrolet Corvettes also made a big draw.presented to the audience. These hybrids run on an
Aficionados lined up to take a glimpse of the recentelectric motor and a gasoline-powered engine. They
ground-breaking cars. Dealers, on the other hand, setare priced from upward of $20,000 to more than
up cameras so take photos of high-end sports cars.$42,000.
Several Miami Beach residents were eyeing all-newToyota, Honda and Nissan also displayed their cars
Lexus LS460 which is priced at $64,000. On one hand,that run on gasoline engines. Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit
other fanatics were fascinated by Chevrolet'sand Nissan Versa, also dragged the crowd closer.
fuel-saving vehicles that use either gasoline or aLuxurious cars like Porsche Turbo Coupe and BMW
mixture of gas and ethanol.760Li were also deemed stunners of the show. The
"People don't come to the show to see fuel-efficientformer is priced at $147,000, while the latter is made
cars. They come here to see the flashy cars. New atcheaper at $132,000.
this year's show was the clutch of E85 flexible fuel