New From New York

By Tom Ripley

From the tenor of proceedings in New York, America has seemed to have talked itself into a recession. At the very least, car manufacturers are bracing for a sales year that will be down significantly from last year's record levels. Particularly wary are the domestic manufacturers, who have suffered double-digit sales declines, and DaimlerChrysler is reeling from huge losses in the last two quarters. But that doesn't mean that the New York International Auto Show, which drew to a close on April 22, wasn't filled with bright, shiny new bodywork. Sport utility vehicles and station wagons captured many of the headlines, but a wide variety of vehicle types received attention during the week. The following are thumbnail sketches of some of the most important unveilings at the show.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible


Land Rover Discovery Series II Kalahari


Kia Sedona

Kia says the Sedona, its first entry into the minivan segment, will be filled with exclusive, class-leading features. Its debut marks the fourth new model introduced by Kia in the last two years, and it is scheduled to appear in showrooms this summer. The front-wheel-drive Sedona includes many features that equal or surpass the class leaders, among them the standard engine. The 3.5-liter dual overhead cam V6 is the largest displacement engine available in an import minivan, and it produces 195 horsepower, among the best in class. The engine is backed up by a sophisticated five-speed, electronically controlled automatic transmission. Inside the Sedona offers seating for seven with front bucket seats, a middle row of two captain's chair and a third row that accommodates three in a split, removable bench seat. The minivan features 10 cup holders and four electrical access points.

Nissan Altima


Honda Civic Hatchback


Tom Ripley, whose most recent piece appeared in AIADA Showroom, observes the international automotive scene from his home in Villeperce, France. Next Feature>>