The no-show cars: a reader rant on mad concepts

Instigated by Harley Earl at General Motors in the late 30s with the quaintly named Buick Y-Job, show cars, or concept cars, were presented to an excited public eager for new things. As the world recovered from a depression and then a war, these vehicles pointed to a better future that many people believed in, including the people who produced them. And, although many of the concept cars of the 50s, with their Jetsons plexiglass roofs and notional nuclear powered engines seem ludicrous now, in their time they weren’t that cynical.

Infiniti prices the 2012 QX and EX

Infiniti is sticking with 2011-model-year prices for the 2012 QX luxury SUV, hoping to maintain a positive sales response since last year's redesign. Meanwhile, the 2012 Infiniti EX crossover models will have higher stickers across the board, with sporty rear-wheel-drive models starting at about $1,000 more for 2012. The base rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered Infiniti QX56 with seven-speed automatic transmission starts at $59,690, including destination.

Mini crossover to carry base price of $22,350

Mini's new Countryman crossover will start at $22,350, only $550 more than the three-door Clubman wagon. A well-equipped Countryman in a Cooper S trim with optional all-wheel drive will cost just under $30,000, Jim McDowell, head of Mini USA, said Wednesday during the media launch for the vehicle. The prices include destination charges, Mini said.