The glitz and the glam will be at all-time lows, but interest may be at an all-time high.

The 2009 North American International Auto Show - which starts Sunday with three days of previews for the media - is likely to be the first Detroit show in years where industry problems dominate conversation instead of product unveilings. Whether the automakers can shift the conversation from the industry's struggles to product innovation is an open question.

Here's my list of the top five storylines I'm expecting at the show, which we'll be covering at www.mlive.com/naias:

1. Could this be the last auto show for Chrysler and General Motors? Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli and GM CEO Rick Wagoner will be greeted, like usual, with hordes of media at the auto show. But I'm guessing the media will be more interested in inquiring about the Big Three's survival strategies, rather than their new products. Expect executives from GM and Chrysler to use the auto show platform to assert that they are investing in innovation that is critical to the American economy.

General Motors Corp. this morning released photos of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, which will be introduced next week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Much nicer looking than the current model, don't you think?

AP PhotoEcoXperience, a new ride and drive element highlighting the green future of the automotive industry is shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Auto show attendees will be able to experience the latest in technology in a ride-and-drive format on a track built in Michigan Hall. NAIAS organizers have set aside 70,000 sq. ft. of floor space to feature this initiative in panoramic nature surroundings.

DETROIT (AP) -- Organizers of Detroit's annual auto show have carved out space in the convention center basement for a 700-foot-long oval driving track to showcase zero emissions vehicles.

Courtesy PhotoThe 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid, which boasts best-in-class fuel economy.

Forget miserable sales figures. The North American International Auto Show will give the Detroit Three and other manufacturers the opportunity to briefly change the subject from bailouts and economic uncertainty to new products and technologies.

From a macroeconomic standpoint, analysts and observers say there isn't much the automobile companies displaying metal at the show can do to counteract the larger forces roiling the industry.

Nathan Bomey

One thing I certainly expect to find at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit: Hope.

Hope found in fuel-efficient, stylish, well-produced vehicles.

But hope is not all we need. Accurate information, education and knowledge about the industry's problems would be more helpful.

With help from its design team in China, General Motors Corp. is trying to reinvigorate the Buick brand with its 2010 LaCrosse luxury sedan.

2009 Detroit Auto Show Dates and Times

• Saturday, January 17 - Saturday, January 24, 2009
 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. (no admittance after 9 p.m.)

• Sunday, January 25, 2009 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. (no admittance after 6 p.m.)

Ticket Prices

• Adult: $12
• Senior Citizen (65 and older): $6
• Children 7-12: $6
• Children 6 and under: Free (when accompanied by their parent or guardian)

Cobo Center
One Washington Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313.877.8777

Get Directions | Parking & Shuttle info

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Grand Rapids PressThe Hummer HX concept, the first six-cylinder E85-fueled Hummer, was on display during the 2007 North American International Auto Show.

The North American International Auto Show is coming up Jan. 17-25, an event that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators each year.

Usually it's the concept cars and new designs unveiled that are the big news, but this year, obviously, things are a little different. I think we can all expect a more subdued event. Not that automakers won't be excited about their new vehicles, but my bet is some of the glam might get toned down.

Another story is that several automakers won't be at the show, citing the poor economy. When sales are down I would think you couldn't afford not to show off your product at the biggest event of the year, but that's just me. It also might be that some of these companies are trying to lessen Detroit's credibility and stature to host the auto show, which has been the buzz for several years.

I'm also going to go out on a limb and say that just about every vehicle from the Detroit Three that is introduced will promote its great gas mileage or that it's a plug-in or a hybrid.

There will, as always, be plenty of coverage of the event.
MLive is planning to do quite a bit from the auto show.

I received my press pass in the mail yesterday and am looking forward to making my second straight trip to Cobo Hall to cover the show as well.

I'll have a preview story of the show in In Town, as well as blog entries and other fun stuff while I'm at the event.

(Programming note. I will off the rest of the week, so you'll have to wait until Monday for the next exciting installment of Getting In Your Business.)

CHICAGO (AP) _ Nissan Motor Corp. will have a presence at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show after all.

In a swift reversal, the Japanese automaker said its local dealers would help staff the show in February. The company said Monday it would not attend due to financial constraints and a downturn in U.S. sales.

DETROIT -- In the auto industry's hour of darkness, General Motors and Ford will unveil promising new models vital to their survival at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

A stylish, European-bred new Ford Taurus aims to repeat the original 1986 Taurus' feat of saving the company and raising the bar for midsize sedan style and handling.

DETROIT -- Suzuki Motor Corp. says it's skipping the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Japanese automaker tells The Detroit News that the space and location offered at downtown's Cobo Center didn't fit its display needs. The company says it's "selectively participating" in shows where it can have the most impact.

The aging venue along the Detroit River has been criticized as being too small for the city's largest event held annually in January. Leaders long have discussed expanding it but nothing firm has emerged.

NEW YORK (AP) -- The mood was subdued and the manufacturers were short on new cars at this year's major U.S. auto shows, including this week's New York International Auto Show. But automakers remained upbeat as they showed products they hope will lift the U.S. industry out of its doldrums.

U.S. auto sales are expected to hit their lowest level in at least a decade in 2008, and while the vehicles unveiled at auto shows in Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York were in the making long before the current downturn, talk about the economy dominated this year's shows.

NEW YORK (AP) -- The X Prize Foundation, best known for its competitions promoting space flights, is offering $10 million to the teams that can produce the most production-ready vehicles that get 100 miles per gallon or more.

The foundation was to announce the size of the purse and its sponsor, Progressive Casualty Insurance Co., on Thursday at the New York International Auto Show.

More than 60 teams from nine countries have signed up for the competition so far, including California electric carmakers Aptera Motors and Tesla Motors, German diesel carmaker Loremo and a team from Cornell University.

DETROIT (AP) -- Organizers of the North American International Auto Show are already laying plans for next year's show.

The automotive extravaganza will be open to the public for nine days next year beginning January 17. Three days of press previews will begin January 11. The industry preview is January 14 and 15, and the annual black-tie charity preview gala will be held January 16.