The Chevy Bolt is among the most likely concept vehicles from this year's auto show to end up in showrooms. Photo credit: Len Katz.

With his roots in Hollywood, General Motors’ first styling director, Harley Earl, loved a bit of showmanship, introducing what is today seen as the first true concept car, the Buick Y-Job. It introduced such revolutionary features as hidden headlamps, wraparound bumpers and an electrically operated convertible roof. Ever since, concept cars have been a staple on the auto show circuit, often the primary draw for the public.

In decades past, these show cars tended to be little more than what former Ford design director Jack Telnack likes to call “fantasies in chrome,” such as the wild, turbine-powered Firebird concepts of the ‘60s.

There are still a few off-the-wall show cars – they’re a staple of the bi-annual Tokyo Motor Show where one recent Toyota concept looked like a telephone booth on wheels – but these days, what you see very well may be what you get. 

Hyundai, for one, is watching closely to see how show-goers react to its edgy Santa Cruz show car and, said U.S. CEO Dave Zuchowski, “If it does what we think it will we want to move it into production as quickly as possible.”

Hyundai hopes show-goers will give thumbs up to the potential segment-busting Santa Cruz concept.

So, with that in mind, let’s look at some of the most intriguing concept cars on display at this year’s North American International Auto Show and rank their likelihood of going from concept to customer.

The Buick Avenir has already won two design awards, and generated plenty of buzz for a brand that is struggling to re-establish its identity with more stylish new products. Alas, General Motors’ global design chief Ed Welburn stresses, “It’s just a concept.” But he doesn’t deny it could strongly influence the look of a new flagship sedan for the Buick brand, possibly to come in the next several years.

Chevrolet Bolt. That’s Bolt, with a “B,” not to be confused with the second-generation Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid also debuting in Detroit this week. The Bolt is a 200-mile range pure battery-electric vehicle aimed at mainstream markets. GM says it will, indeed, reach production two years from now – but likely with a new, less confusing name.

GAC Witstar. Guangzhou Automotive Group is the latest Chinese maker to display in Detroit – though none have brought production cars to the U.S. yet. Witstar is an autonomous, plug-in hybrid concept vehicle that may eventually reach showrooms – at least in China – but we’d question whether one particular feature would carry into production: the two-gallon fish tank mounted between the rear seats.

VW's Cross Coupe GTE concept may be the closest to a production model of all the concepts introduced at the Detroit Auto Show.

(GM’s Bolt concept sends Tesla a message about affordability. For more, Click Here.)

Honda Uni-Cub. Think Segway with a seat. The Uni-Cub is a compact “personal mobility device that’s basically a streamlined wheelchair. It can’t move as quick as the Segway, with a maximum speed of just 2.5 mph, but it operates much the same way, a rider shifting their weight to turn. So far, Honda has not announced plans for production.

Hyundai Santa Cruz. Easily the most polarizing design to debut at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, the edgy Santa Cruz is an attempt to reach out to active young buyers who like the idea of having an outside cargo bed but don’t want a pickup truck. It’s a sort of modern reimagining of the old Chevrolet El Camino. Hyundai officials, as noted above, are watching closely to see if consumers will buy one.

(Click Here for details about VW’s Cross Coupe GTE concept.)

Infiniti Q60 Concept Coupe. Intended to replace the Japanese luxury brand’s old mid-range coupe, the G37, the Q60 Concept features a striking blend of sumptuous curves and contrasting sharp creases. It’s intended to showcase Infiniti’s new design direction – and give a hint of what’s to come, a slightly toned-down production version due to reach showrooms next year.

Mercedes-Benz F 015. First shown at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month, the German show car, also dubbed “Luxury in Motion,” is meant to showcase what an S-Class of the future might look like when autonomous driving is the norm. Bubble-shaped, its swivel seats create a lounge on wheels environment. You can even project digital images on the windows if you don’t like the scenery. Chances of production? Near zero, but expect some of these ideas to influential a future Mercedes.

(To see what you get when a truck is not a truck, Click Here.)

Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE. This is probably the most production-ready “concept” at this year’s North American International Auto Show. Volkswagen is simply looking to whet the appetites of those waiting for the debut of its U.S.-built seven-passenger SUV. It’s the sibling of the Cross Blue Concept that showcased another new VW SUV that will roll off the maker’s Tennessee assembly line soon.

Don't miss out!
Get Email Alerts
Receive the latest Automotive News in your Inbox!
Invalid email address
Give it a try. You can unsubscribe at any time.