Automakers have all started to offer more safety features, like Ford's Blind Spot Mirror, which is standard equipment on all of its 2009 trucks and cars. The mirrors have convex insets that are aimed directly at the blind spot on either side of the vehicle, giving you a better idea of what might be lurking just behind you. A traffic monitoring alert system will function along with the mirrors, warning you with lights and/or audible tones when traffic approaches. The system works when you're backing up or moving forward.

_{Photo © Ford Motor Co.}

The redesigned Ford F-150 won Truck of the Year honors at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, edging out the new Dodge Ram and the Mercedes Benz ML 320 BlueTEC, a diesel SUV. It's good to see a true truck win the award -- Mazda's CX-9, a crossover, won top honors in 2008.

Fifty journalists from the U.S. and Canada participated in the selection, awarding points to vehicles they believe are the most outstanding of the year and basing their votes on qualities such as innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

The Hyundai Genesis was named Car of the Year -- a first for a South Korean automaker.

2009 Ford F-150

2009 Hyundai Genesis Test Drive

Detroit's North American International Auto Show (called NAIAS for short) is held in January of each year, and is one of the most important auto shows for new vehicle introductions.

NAIAS unveilings have traditionally been flashy stage shows, and it wasn't unusual for automakers to bring in celebrities to help introduce their cars and trucks to the crowd. This year, a combination of slow sales and government loans (not just in the U.S.) will no doubt force manufacturers to replace the glitz with more conservative exhibits. Ferrari, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Rolls-Royce and Suzuki have have done more than trim back -- they aren't even attending the show.

Pickups won't take center stage at Detroit, but Ford gave me a new F-150 truck to test drive while I'm here. It's snowing and the city is expecting 5-6 inches before tomorrow morning -- testing the truck on winter roads should be fun.

_{Photo © Dale Wickell}

Becoming a member of the Trucks Forum is free and it only takes a few minutes to establish an ID and password. It's been quiet in there lately, but I'd like to invite you all to stop by -- let's talk trucks. I'll do my best to answer your questions, and I'll have some questions of my own now that I'm getting deeper into restoring a vintage truck.

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