Live from media days, the Detroit Auto Show is in full swing. This is an overview, more details and photos forthcoming:

Small compacts are in -- but in a new way. Aggressive, fun and youthful styling carries the day, as does connectivity and energy efficiency. Wow! Detroit has done its homework, ladies - no kidding. Let's start with Ford. Ford has a rocking 2010 line up-- the Focus and Focus hybrid are taking front and center stage. 

Chevy has a strong line up of C cars (more forthcoming when my interviewing stops), as does, KIA, Mazda, Mini, Honda, and of course, Hyundai - who as a company, has ongoingly been adding extraordinary value by keeping some of their last year's prcing in tact for 2010, while adding to it's Assurance program and making their cars more lightweight. Toyota will be launching a family of Prius's in the next year or so.

At the luxery level, BMW and Acura have added hybrid and eco-friendly technology. Lexus was the first to jump-start the efforts in this category with the launch of the 250h.

Buick is hot. New models for a new car company, with lots of Opel euro influence. Look out those of you who have said you would never drive a Buick-- test drive one and you may very well be a convert.

Remarkable Euro styling is shown in the Audi, BMW and Mercedes brands. Speaking of Euro, Volkswagon is showing some very tempting looks that are stepping into this class from a stying and feature perspective.

More to come.

Drive Your Bargain,

Anne

www.twitter.com/womendrivers

Compliments of AdWomen and Nancy Tarrasó.:

Puebla, Mexico, is the latest city to offer a taxi service exclusively for women. Intended as a safe means of transport, bright pink Chevys are driven by women only and will not stop for men. For further female appeal, the cabs are equipped with beauty kits, GPS and emergency panic buttons. Sixty pink taxi drivers aged 25-45 transport women from side to side of the city.

An initiative that works in London, where every little detail is important; female consumers must pay with credit card to avoid mugging and they received two missed calls to get ready at the door when the taxi arrives. Barcelona is another city that recently join this initiative, but it does discreetly, without the distinctive pink color. All this pink ladies had been target of bad critics, like feminism or reactionary.

Personally, I think it´s a good initiative for a female marketing segment with a new product to exploit. What do you think about that? Would you like a pink taxi in your town?

Drive Your Bargain,

Anne

www.twitter.com/women-drivers.com