tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

In recent years, automakers at the North American International Auto Show have used Detroit as a place to lament the sorry state of the U.S. economy and profess dour outlooks for the upcoming year. Now, it’s the place they express their optimism.

After potential carbuyers hunkered down during the throes of the recession, luxury car producers are counting on 2012 to be the year indulgence makes a comeback.

Optimism is rooted in a strong finish to the previous year. Among the notables: Rolls-Royce posted its best sales year ever. In December, Bentley posted its second-highest sales month in its 92-year history. Mercedes-Benz enjoyed a strong finish to the calendar year, boosting its year-over-year sales in December by 27.1 percent and finishing 2011 up 16.0 percent overall.

And BMW, which narrowly eclipsed Mercedes-Benz to claim best-selling luxury brand honors, ended 2011 more than 13 percent ahead of the previous year’s pace, as both German brands knocked Lexus from the #1 spot.

“This year, there really seems to be a lot more buzz, a lot more new product and a lot more good, new product,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. “People are looking forward to better sales figures for next year, but it’s a very, very crowded marketplace.”

With that in mind, here’s a glance at a few of the latest luxury offerings that captured some attention in Detroit this week.

caddyowner

There's a show for them - actually it's for the half-percenters. The MGM Grand Gallery before the NAIAS in Detroit.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...igh-end-buyers

LexFather

OCCUPY this thread!

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

link to the rest of it or original article?