The last several years have been difficult for the auto industry.
General Motors went bankrupt, and then got bailed out.
Toyota was forced to deal with a litany of quality issues in its vehicles, leading to a number of product recalls.
And, most recently, Honda and others have had to issue recalls related to malfunctioning Takata airbags.
That's to say nothing of the ongoing march away from gas-powered vehicles and the emergence of new competitors like Tesla.
It's not an easy time to be in the car business.
But don't tell anyone that at the annual North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which opened this week in the Motor City. There, dozens of carmakers are showing off their latest and greatest innovations, including street-ready rides and concept cars that may never see the light of day again. It is, hands down, the biggest event of the year for the automotive industry and never fails to disappoint car fans far and wide.
For those of us who can't make the trip to Detroit, here is a quick look at some of the hot rides making their debuts this week at the show.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra presents the Bolt EV electric concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
The new BMW 6 series convertible. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Dieter Zetsche, Daimler AG Chairman and head of Mercedes, with the new GLE Coupe SUV. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
A model poses with the Alfa Romeo 4C at media previews for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Buick Avenir concept on display. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Ford Executive Vice President and President, The Americas, Joe Hinrichs, stands next to the new Ford Raptor. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
From left, Ford Motor Co., Executive Chairman Bill Ford, President and COO Mark Fields, Executive Vice President and President of the Americas, Joe Hinrichs, and Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, stand next to the new Ford GT. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The 2016 Chevrolet Volt hybrid. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
The Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE Concept. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti executive director of design talks about the Infiniti Q60 concept unveiled at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015. Infiniti says the Q60 that will go on sale next year will be strongly influenced by the Q60 concept. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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