Breakthrough models from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show

Calling it “the latest edition of an absolute icon,” Mini used the North American International Auto Show for the world debut of its new Mini Cooper Convertible.

Hyun-Soon Lee, President of Research and Development for Hyundai and Kia, accepts the Car of the Year Award for the Hyundai Genesis.

Accepting the Truck of the Year Award for the Ford F-150 are Mark Fields, executive vice-president and president of the Americas, and Matt O'Leary, chief engineer for the F-150.

Troy Clark, president of GM North America, presents the Chevrolet Spark, which is based on the Beat concept and is expected to be sold in the US in 2011.

Bob Lutz, GM's vice chairman of Global Product Development unveiled the Cadillac Converj Concept, providing a glimpse into what luxury electric propulsion could look like.

The world debut of the Lexus 2010 HS250h - the world's first dedicated hybrid will be 30% better than the most fuel-efficient Lexus available today.

The Dodge Circuit EV Concept allows customers to ride in an electric vehicle with style. It features zero tailpipe emissions and a 150-200 mile zero gas consumption range.

Pulling the covers off the new Bentley Continental GTC Speed.

Kia Motors unveiled a new concept called the Soul’ster, an open-air derivative of its new Soul sport wagon.

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI made it's world debut at the North American International Auto Show, presented by Rupert Stadler, Audi chairman of the board of management.

Harald J. Wester, CEO of Maserati shows off the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS, the most powerful luxury car the company has ever built.

Honda rolled out the 2010 Insight for it's world premiere.

Chinese cars such as the pure electric BYD E6, made their presence felt in Detroit. All the chemical substances in the battery of the E6 can be recycled.

The M3 Brilliance, also from China, was presented by Guohua He, vice president of Brillance. The sporty M3 delivers a metal and carbon-fiber interior and racing style interior and gets 34 MPG.

The 2010 Prius is the third generation of Toyota’s successful hybrid sedan. The new car is slightly larger than the previous model and promises increased cargo space. Fuel economy will also increase to 50 mpg combined highway and city.

Lamborghini took advantage of the spotlight offered in Detroit to showcase outfits from their clothing line, such as the Puffa Jacket seen here.

Fisker unveils the Karma Premium Plug In hybrid, presented by CEO Henrik Fisker.

Elon Musk, CEO and product architect of Tesla is also the co-founder of Paypal and owns a rocket company. The Tesla is a pure electric vehicle with a 244 mile range that can achieve 0-60 in 3.9 seconds.

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Amid all the economic woes and talk of bailouts and mergers, the 2009 North American International Auto Show still managed to give attendees something good to talk about -- new models that could soon be for sale in showrooms across the country.

The trend of leaner and greener cars seen at the Paris and Los Angeles Auto Shows continued with the models on display in Detroit. From the Chinese BYD E6 to the Tesla Roadster, one could how the latest eco-friendly technologies can come in all shapes and sizes.

However, improvements to fuel economy did not take the entire stage. Automakers such as Maserati and Bentley showed off stylish and powerful new models... and Lamborghini exhibited some models of its own, wearing outfits from their clothing line.

All in all, even if those attending the NAIAS could not afford to buy any of the new models on display, there was still plenty of vehicles that would be worth saving up when they hit the market.

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Breakthrough models from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show

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