It might be doom and gloom in Europe as far as car sales go but the mood at the NAIAS Detroit Show was much more buoyant, with sales continuing to climb back towards pre-economic crash figures of 16 million a year.

Gas prices must be low at the moment because the new products on show seemed to be just that bit larger and more “American” than those of recent years, which have seen the emergence of smaller, more European cars.

The show really kicked off fittingly with the unveiling of the latest version of an American icon, the seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette. Ford was keeping a pretty low profile, with the Blue Oval brand leaving its traditional big press conference in the Joe Louis Arena next door until the second press day. Even then, the big news was all about commercial vehicles.

The European premium brands took the opportunity to unveil some important newcomers. BMW unwrapped the 4 Series coupe concept while Mercedes-Benz introduced the new E-Class. Merc didn’t show off its new CLA to the public, but it did do so behind closed doors to the media.

Around the stands there was plenty to keep visitors interested, although nothing that really stood out. The talk was generally about how the car companies are rebuilding their sales volumes and relief that the US didn’t fall over the fiscal cliff. Eyes were warily cast across the Atlantic however, at the dark economic clouds hanging over Europe. With no sign of the market rebounding there, there are some tough decisions to be made back in Detroit.

Acura MDX prototype

Honda’s premium North American brand gave a preview of the next-generation seven-seat SUV at Detroit. The Canadian-built model has been a fixture in the Acura US line-up since 2001 and the new MDX will be the third generation to carry the nameplate. Acura is expected to extend its reach beyond North America in the short term. Russia and Saudi Arabia are reckoned to be among the target markets.

BMW concept 4 Series

‘The “4” represents a new focus for the 3 Series’ is BMW’s helpful description of the Detroit concept car. What this means is that the 4 Series will be to the 3 Series what the 6 Series has been to the 5 Series, in other words a coupe and convertible based on 3 Series running gear. And there’s an “M” version to come too. It shares its 2,810mm wheelbase with the 3 Series saloon, but features wider front and rear tracks and arches and a 63mm lower roofline with pillarless doors. Expect engine options to be similar to the higher-end units in the 3 Series saloon. BMW has yet to reveal what, if anything, will change before the car reaches production.

Cadillac ELR

Based on the Converj Concept seen at Detroit in 2009, the ELR uses a more powerful version of the Chevrolet Volt range extender driveline but clothed in a luxury coupe body. Drive is by electric motor, but when the battery charge falls, a 1.4-litre petrol engine is automatically started to provide power direct to the electric motor, meaning range is not restricted in the same way as a battery electric car. According to Cadillac global vice president, Bob Ferguson, it will be a specialised model available in limited numbers. Features include Regen on Demand to offer temporary regenerative energy, triggered by steering wheel paddles, that will be stored in the car’s battery pack for later use. High-spec features include LED lighting, programmable charging and Bose 10-channel audio. US production is expected late 2013, with sales due in early 2014 in North America before rolling out to global markets including China and Europe.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

It’s 60 years since Chevrolet took the wraps off the first Harley Earl-designed Chevrolet Corvette, so it was a fitting moment for the company to re-introduce a new model, and reintroduce the name it was given 50 years ago – Stingray. Muscle is still the name of the game and the 2014 Corvette Stingray will come with a 6.2-litre V8 delivering 450hp and 610Nm of torque. At the same time Chevrolet reckons it could be the most fuel-efficient Corvette, offering an EPA-estimated 9.04l/100km.

Chevrolet says only two parts are carried over from the previous Corvette and it gets a new chassis and powertrain. The original featured fibreglass construction and the latest model uses carbon fibre for the bonnet and removable roof panel, composite doors, bumpers and rear quarter panels, carbon-nano composite under body panels and an aluminium frame to help cut weight.

Nissan Resonance

Nissan’s Resonance SUV concept, unveiled at the Detroit Show, will go into production in some way, but it certainly points to the brand’s future design direction, said Andy Palmer, executive vice president, product planning.

The concept is particularly directed at US customers where Nissan is on something of a roll, selling more than one million vehicles last year; a new record.

Nissan’s global design teams in the US, UK and Japan came together under the direction of styling chief Shiro Nakamura to pen the Resonance, which Palmer said is a strong indicator of the look of future Nissan SUVs.

It uses a hybrid powertrain and the interior features all the latest high-tech gadgets to keep drivers and their passengers connected.

Palmer said: ‘The car has sweeping lines up from the grille to the bonnet and boomerang design headlamps. Add in the kick-up D-pillar and floating roof and the concept has real presence and we think it will…. well, resonate.

‘It is a bold design but it shows that we mean to maintain our leadership in crossover vehicles. Elements of this design will go into future models as we press forward with Nissan’s mid-term plan.’

That plan aims to introduce one new or refreshed product every six weeks up to 2016, he added.

Chevrolet Silverado

Public debut for the pick-up unveiled to the media before Christmas; all-new V6 and V8 engines and evolved rather than revolutionary styling should keep US buyers happy.

Dodge Dart

Another anniversary and another milestone – it’s 50 years since Dodge unveiled the first Dart. The latest model to carry the name is also the first fruit of the Fiat-owned Chrysler business. The Dart shares its architecture with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. It’s also the first small Dodge to be produced since Neon production ended eight years ago.

The Dart GT gets a 2.4-litre MultiAir engine delivering 184hp, a six-speed manual gearbox or automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and Nappa leather upholstery among other items. Production is scheduled for Q2.

Ford Atlas concept

It was a year of commercial vehicles for Ford with US show debuts for the 2.0-tonne Ford Transit and Ford Transit Connect, which will go on sale in North America later this year.

But more in tune with the US buyer was the Atlas pickup concept, unveiled at Detroit. Ford says it was shown to showcase the design, capability, fuel efficiency and smart technologies that will define future pickup trucks. That means an EcoBoost direct-injection turbo petrol engine, which Ford claims will reduce fuel consumption by 20% and CO2 emissions by 15%. The engine gets automatic Stop/Start, active grille shutters to speed warm-up, active wheel shutters to improve aerodynamics at motorway speeds and a drop-down front air dam to improve air flow under the truck at higher speeds.

Honda Urban SUV concept

Honda’s second concept gave a global unveiling for its Urban SUV concept, hinting at a forthcoming small SUV that could fill the gap left when the HR-V was withdrawn in 2006. A production version will launch in Japan in 2013, followed by the US in 2014 and Europe soon afterwards.

Like the Jazz/Fit, it will be based on Honda’s new Global Compact Series platform. Details of powertrain are yet to come, but it will get those flexible Honda Magic Seats from the Jazz/Fit. Production is scheduled for Honda’s Celaya Mexico plant, the company’s newest in North America.

VW CrossBlue

Volkswagen is toying with the idea of introducing a road-biased seven-seat SUV purely for the American market – and had a show car hinting what it might be on display at Detroit.

The CrossBlue plug-in hybrid, if given the green light, would slot into the VW SUV range above the mid-sized Tiguan and the larger Touareg.

The Detroit concept is powered by a TDI diesel engine working with two rear-mounted electric motors and driving all four wheels through a twin-clutch automatic gearbox.

VW claims 2.1l/100 km economy on the US test cycle in hybrid mode, and up to 303hp and a maximum 700Nm of torque.

The show car has six individual seats, although if it is approved for production at VW’s Chattanooga plant in Tennessee, the plan is to fit seven. Diesel and petrol powertrains would be offered alongside the hybrid.

‘This is a car for a specific segment which only exists in the USA,’ said Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, the head of VW product planning and engineering.

‘In the US it is essential to have a seven-seater. Seven-seat SUVs are replacing minivans (MPVs in Europe). It is important for females to like a car that they take their children to soccer in and they don’t like a minivan.’

Hackenberg says the CrossBlue would be ‘more of a road car with the possibility to go on bad surfaces’ than the go-anywhere Touareg, and less of as premium model.

‘There is a sweet spot that it could hit, and maybe it would be suitable for China – not now but in the future,’ he added.

It is based on an extended version of the new MQB vehicle architecture, which underpins the Mk VII Golf and is destined for a whole range of VWs from a Polo to a Passat.

That means the plug-in hybrid drivetrain could easily be adopted for the next-generation Tiguan SUV in other markets, says Hackenberg.

Hyundai HCD-14 concept

Could this be the face of a future Hyundai Genesis? It seems quite likely. Sales of the Genesis and Equus rose 24% outside Korea in 2012 and the Genesis has been well received in North America where it was 2009 Car of the Year and notched up a 9% retail market share – greater than Hyundai’s 5% overall retail share there.

‘This success paves the way for a new generation of rear-wheel drive premium products,’ said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. ‘HCD-14 Genesis gives a hint of the design direction we’ll be taking, and an indication of the focus we’re placing on driving dynamics and technology.’

Infiniti Q50

Infiniti’s 3 Series rival, the G Sedan, gets a new look and is the first car for the company’s new model naming system.

Lexus IS saloon

The third generation of the BMW 3 Series rival is inspired by the LF-CC concept first shown at the Paris show last September. The IS 250 will get 204hp V6 power while the hybrid IS 300h will be powered by a four-cylinder 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle engine, with electric motor, offering a combined output of 217hp. Lexus expects to deliver sub-100g/km CO2 emissions, with fuel consumption below 3.6l/100km. Features include a pop-up bonnet design to reduce pedestrian injuries.

Lincoln MKC

This small SUV, designed to attract younger buyers, is based on the Ford Escape/Kuga as Ford’s global model policy gathers pace.

Maserati Quattroporte

There’s an all-new chassis and a lighter body for this bigger, sixth-generation model making its debut at Detroit. Although lighter, it’s larger than the car it replaces and, Maserati says, more luxurious. There’s a choice of twin turbocharged, direct-injection 3.0-litre V6 and 3.8-litre V8 power, both built at the Ferrari Maranello plant to Maserati designs. A ZF 8-speed automatic is the standard transmission.

Tesla Model X

At Detroit, Tesla showed a design concept based on the platform of the Model S. It is a stylish fusion of crossover and MPV called the Model X, with an additional electric motor between the front wheels to give it all-wheel drive capability.

Its most unusual feature is the “falcon wing” rear side doors, which raise vertically before swinging out so they can be opened in confined spaces.

Tesla’s next production car will be a small model costing around $30,000 (€22,430) in the US. It is expected to be on sale in three to four years.