The design story is sure to be dynamic at this years North American International Auto Show. Following Frankfurt and Tokyo, the NAIAS will display very different kinds of cars for the North American market. There will be a strong focus on design, more than any other major show, and the American manufacturers will defend their turf very well.

Many concept and production cars will be announced and analyzed, but it is good to have an understanding of the work that has been shown at the two previous international motor shows to fully understand the design trends at this time that will be seen in Detroit.

IAA Frankfurt - Frankfurt showed a lot of energy from the Asian manufacturers as they continue to aggressively pursue European buyers in all fourteen countries. The main weapon is the use of design and a great amount of new work was shown. High quality design efforts were demonstrated by Nissan, starting to rollout dramatic vehicles that are very well conceived and executed. Their attention to ergonomics and interior and exterior detail is head and shoulders above the pack. Their performance is the benchmark at this time.

Driving here presented a very different picture than the typical American freeway. It was not the unlimited speed on the autobahns that got your attention, but it was the total lack of boxes that impressed us, pickups are non existent and very few vans and SUVs are present.

Tokyo Motor Show - In Tokyo a very different story was told, but design was again the key element as technology is starting to take a back seat to dramatically designed vehicles of all kinds.

Tokyo always shows a large number of small cars for the Japanese market and this year was no exception. Honda was one of the leaders that displayed, to American taste, a very strange looking small, one box car. What was shown was pure Japanese design for Japan? They look great in Tokyo, they are the right size and have a strong and quirky look that fits the lifestyle and artistic character of the avante garde Japanese art and architecture that appeals to the young market.

A short ride on Tokyos crowded streets will open your eyes to the wisdom of the classic Japanese one box car. They also have big cars and big trucks, and many vehicles that would fall between a car and a motorcycle, but that's another story.