2010 Orange County Auto Show: Hits and Misses from the Domestic Automakers

There is nothing more brash and truly American than the restaurant chain known only as Hooters. Men go to these restaurants claiming they have "world class hot wings" when their wives and girlfriends are fully aware of why they want to eat there. Don't make me spell it out because you know what I mean.

So as I entered the convention hall for the 2010 OC Auto Show in Anaheim, California right on time at 9am, I found it odd that I was one of the first members of the press to arrive. Correction, there was me and a cadre of very outgoing Hooters, um, employees who I don't believe were there with press credentials. Might I also say, in the convention center it was very, very cold and none of those poor girls had jackets.

I was amazed that these girls were so devoted to their jobs that they would get to the OC Auto Show at that hour with nothing to do really, knowing full well they were probably going to be there all day. They were all laughing, smiling and having a great time even though their job sort of excludes them from the luxury of wearing a coat.

Apparently auto journalists generally aren't that devoted to their jobs as I was pretty much on my own until about 10:30. Maybe they all overslept or there was something important that they had to do on that ridiculous Facebook game that I like to call "Hide Farmville." Come on Facebook users, pick up the joke. Admittedly, I probably would have slept in too if given the chance.

But in that experience I saw the true American can-do spirit deep in the hearts of each and every one of those Hooters employees. You may think that I am writing that from the perspective of a horny heterosexual male who thought he had died and gone to heaven but you would be a few bases short of a home run. Sorry, I don't know a lot about basketball. You figure that one out on your own.

So this article is dedicated to the distinctly American spirit and style of those girls from Hooters. Maybe some Big Three executives could learn a thing or two about what made this country great no doubt while they are at Hooters eating their hot wings. No, this time I am actually serious.

Ford/Lincoln

There were 2011 Fiestas on hand, the new 2011 Mustangs with their new V6 and 5.0 liter V8 engines and you could even learn more about Ford's new MyFordTouch system in a 2011 Edge. How did Ford suddenly get the coolest gadgets in the industry?

Of more interest to me were displays of the new 2011 F-150 Ecoboost V6 engine and Super Duty diesel motor. In a huge mechanical refresh, the 2011 F-150 and Super Duty are finally getting treated to new engines and new six-speed automatics.

The Explorer was there too in all its dull glory. The front is unique but the rear looks like they forgot to finish designing it. The sides are, well, SUV like. I really don't think it will ever get close to its old sales glory days before the Firestone Tire recall. As far as 7-passenger Fords go, I would buy a Ford Flex Ecoboost any day.

My big surprise came when I stumbled across the positively elephantine Lincoln MKT. The MKT is the SUV with the huge chrome grille out front and the big booty out back. Well this unit was black so it bore more than a passing resemblance to a hearse. But for some reason when I got up close to it, I really started to like the chrome covered, over the top nature of this SUV/crossover/hearse. I almost understood it. Almost.

The interior is where the MKT really shines. Lincoln is committed to be a leader in interior quality, design and features availability. Even if you don't like how the MKT looks on the outside, you will just be driving or riding in it from the comfort of your leather covered seat. It is other drivers who have to worry about averting their eyes as you go by.

Chevrolet

There was a Volt on a spinning display at the Auto Show but it has been how many years since it was unveiled and we still can't sit in the interior? GM has hyped the Volt for so long that it stands no chance of being anything but a disappointment. However, I was very pleasantly surprised by the 2011 Chevy Cruze.

Sure, it can price up to $21,000 for a fully loaded up model but it is so much better than the Cobalt. Even more basic models have decent materials and the vehicle is very spacious. The 2011 Cruze's exterior is refined, nicely proportioned and looks solid. It also, don't laugh here, just feels expensive. Yes, a compact GM car has finally done that.

Buick

The 2011 Regal is a huge step forward for the Buick brand and has a look and feel that really reminded me of the Acura TSX. This is an important entry price point for first time luxury buyers so it will be important for Buick to get the quality right. Some interior trim, buttons and the leather do suffer from a less than premium feel, however.

Cadillac

The CTS sport coupe looks cool. It was very wise of Cadillac to offer a three pronged family of CTS models.

GMC

Well, GMC had a concept vehicle at the show. There were two suicide doors on a Honda Element sized SUV on oversize tires. Not much going on at GMC right now apparently.

Chrysler/Jeep

Really the only news at this stand was the admittedly impressive 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The interior is like nothing you have ever seen in a Chrysler product from a design and quality of materials perspective. It bodes well for the company's Fiat owned future.

The exterior design is simple, classic and unmistakably Jeep. They were wise to keep to the Grand Cherokee's off-road roots by offering a number of all-wheel/4-wheel drive options as Ford recently went full crossover with the new Explorer. The Jeep also just looks tough which is a rarity nowadays in the SUV/crossover marketplace.