To put the car North American car industry into perspective, China recorded a 45 per cent increase in auto sales in 2009, while the US recorded a 21 per cent decrease. However, both nations still sold numbers in the low tens of millions. The high increase in auto sales in China was unexpected, and only goes to prove China’s legitimacy in the race for top world superpower status. Chinese drivers are saying “Economic Crisis? What economic crisis?” which also says that their rise in international politics will also be hard to hinder. North Americans have displayed a different mentality, and the marketplace for new cars has reflected it.

The main thing North Americans thought about 2009 were the ongoing plant closures in Canada and the US. Ford, GM, and Chrysler all downsized tremendously within the past few years, and 2009 saw plenty of it: GM stopped production at its Oshawa truck plant in September, alongside 13 other plant closing in the US. In early 2010, the latest GM plant closure was announced in Windsor, where 1,400 jobs will be lost. The world economic crisis has, of course, contributed to North America’s leading automakers drive for cheaper production costs. Labour and parts produced in Canada and the US are more expensive than elsewhere.

But, it looks like some of these wounded auto manufacturers have decided that enough is enough, and the 2010 North America Auto Show is the perfect place to showcase their new, greener approach. The most revered event in the car industry, rolling into Detroit next week, everyone is expecting to see what the auto industry will do to bounce back. The show, which starts on January 16, is expected to unveil hybrids and electric cars from all automakers, in a revamping attempt to create a new market. SUVs and big trucks are to be scarce, and even some lighter trucks and small passenger cars will be hard to find. The 2010 Auto Show in Detroit will be comprised mainly of electric and hybrid cars.

Some big names expected to turn gear-heads are Toyota, Mazda, Magnum, and GM and Nissan, who will all be using the show to create buzz around their latest green concepts. Also, American based companies Tesla and Fisker’s new electric cars are drumming up attention among buyers looking to go green. But, Chinese based BYD Auto, being funded by US billionaire Warren Buffet, will be most watched when it reveals its latest line of hybrids that have been in semi-production since 2008.