[Auto] 2022 Detroit auto show press days recap: Mustang reveal, Biden visit, EV charging tech

[Dr@g0n]

The 2022 North American International Auto show got underway in Detroit with press days this week before opening to the public Saturday. While there were fewer world debuts than usual there was still plenty to talk about: President Joe Biden toured the show floor and touted his domestic EV and battery policy. The administration also announced it approved 35 EV infrastructure deployment plans by states and territories. The seventh-generation Ford Mustang was unveiled as part of a “Mustang Stampede” into downtown Detroit. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said he was open to the unionization of coming U.S. battery plants. Just ahead of the show Chrysler unveiled a 300c variant with a 6.4-liter Hemi engine. Mobility, technology and EV charging companies were a bigger part of the show and conversation.While automakers and dealers were showing off new electric vehicle offerings 30 miles down the road at the Detroit auto show, thousands of executives, engineers, salespeople and journalists gathered in Novi, Mich., at the Battery Show this week to discuss how the EVs of the future will be powered. It's an urgent topic. Automakers are setting aggressive EV sales targets, and the federal government is pressing for 50 percent of new-vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2030. California is moving to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles beginning in 2035. But the battery supply chain to make it all possible remains fragile.

A shade reminiscent of a volcanic explosion represents North America's latest car color trend, auto coatings supplier BASF said at the Detroit auto show.

BASF showcased the shade Lava at the show Wednesday. The color represents a crossroads of high technology and sustainability, BASF designers said.

Automakers have us wondering lately what in the world their designers might do with the front ends and hoods of vehicles once engine compartments are rendered obsolete by EV batteries. But that's a styling challenge for the future.

At last week's Detroit auto show, we were struck by a more immediate design changewith vehicle portals. Doors and rear hatches are suddenly showing new expressiveness, for no particular reason.