The best-selling vehicle in America will get a facelift next year, one of only a handful of new or upgraded automobiles on display this week at Detroit’s huge auto show. Ford introduced the latest version of the F-150 pickup truck Tuesday night at a ceremony outside Huntington Place, the convention centre that will host the North American International Auto Show beginning Wednesday with media day. It’s one of only four new or redesigned vehicles on display at the exhibition, which also includes models from Stellantis’ Jeep off-road brand and General Motors’ GMC and Cadillac brands.
That falls far short of the 40 or 50 new models that were frequently introduced during the show’s prime. For the past four or five years, automakers have avoided auto shows as favoured venues for unveiling new models. Instead, they’re showing them online for less money and when they don’t have to share the spotlight with others. Detroit manufacturers are also locked in a contract dispute with the United Auto Workers union, with the two sides appearing to be far from reaching a deal before a Thursday night deadline.
