Late 1920’s Early 30’s Buick (?) Running Boards Set Of (2) - Reproductions on 2040-parts.com

Detroit auto show 2011: the CAR Live Blog from NAIAS

CAR's review of the 2011 Detroit auto show - By Ben Oliver 3.30pm: Ian Robertson drives onto the stage in a Team USA-liveried Mini CountrymanCountryman sales are 30% above projected orders with 12,000 sold since launch, and the maxi Mini is now on sale in the US too. Marketing chief Robertson says 2010 was the best sales year ever with 234,000 Minis sold worldwide and sales were 8.1% up in the biggest market, the US. Launched 10 years ago at Detroit, Mini now has over 300,000 American owners, or 'fans' as Robertson's Facebook-savvy scriptwriter says.3.11pm: Big waves at HyundaiBP Hyundai's American boss John Krafcik introduces the new Curb concept, a cool Juke-sized crossover, and then the lovely little Hyundai Veloster (below).

Mazda 3, Mazda 6 get customized for the SEMA Show

We like the look of Mazda's current lineup, from the basic 2 to the sleek 6. Kodo design language has a lot to do with it -- Mazda North American Operations design director Derek Jenkins says that, thanks that Kodo styling, "the Zoom-Zoom genetic code is further being embraced, not buried, through increasingly expressive vehicle design." (Ugh.-ED) We didn't know genetics had anything to do with it, but hey -- tough to argue with the results. Perhaps Kodo's effectiveness is why Mazda's SEMA show concepts are fairly...restrained compared to what other automakers are bringing to Las Vegas.

Now Porsche catches the SUV Coupe bug with plans for a Cayenne Coupe

Porsche are planning a coupe version of the next Cayenne (current Turbo S pictured) No one thought the BMW X6 would sell; after all, who would want an SUV with a compromised coupe roofline? But it seems plenty of buyers do – the BMW X6 sells at twice the rate BMW predicted – which is why we’re getting an X6 clone in the new Mercedes GL Coupe – likely to be the Mercedes MLC – heading for a Mercedes showroom near you sometime soon after being previewed by the Mercedes Concept Coupe. Now, Porsche are apparently playing the SUV Coupe game with plans for a coupe version of the next generation Cayenne in 2018, according to Autocar, to make sure BMW and Mercedes don’t have things all their own way.