It was up to non-US brands to lead the way at the New York Motor Show when it came to green credentials and exciting new models, writes Kyle Fortune, in New York
Entering the Javits Centre for the New York International Motor Show, a sign congratulates some of the cars being exhibited for being in the 30+ club. No, these are not the ancient-tech Lincoln Town Cars or Ford Crown Victorias which seem to make up the bulk of traffic in New York, but cars at the show that can do better than 30mpg. There aren't many up there, certainly not as many as there should be.
Predictably, green is the colour of any motor show these days, even American ones. Only in the US it's perhaps not being embraced with quite the enthusiasm, or speed as it has elsewhere in the world. You just need to wander around the show stands to see that while the Japanese and European brands are offering green solutions right now, the traditional big three old guard American firms haven't reacted with quite the same fervour.
Certainly, at least, not with the sort of passion that Mercedes is demonstrating for its Bluetec diesels. With its Vote Bluetec campaign echoing that of the other topic on America's lips - the presidential primaries - Mercedes is continuing to push diesel as a clean, green fuel. With its Bluetec diesel engines, emissions are reduced, allowing them to be driven across all US states with their differing emissions regulations.
It's not technology we'll be seeing here for a while, as although Bluetec reduces harmful exhaust gases, CO2 emissions are actually slightly higher than non-Bluetec equipped cars.
Aside from the championing of its clean diesels, Mercedes brought along its new M-Class, which is a case of blink and you'll miss the changes.
It's not often that you'll hear BMW backing Mercedes, but in his speech Tom Purves, chairman and chief executive of BMW in the US, suggested that diesel is the way forward for the US.
Obviously, there was a slight dig about BMW offering better performance, and with its 118d gaining the accolade of World Green Car of the Year at the show, BMW has good reason to be bullish.
Away from the diesel posturing, the Japanese firms continue to pursue electric dreams. Toyota's hybrids were a case in point, proudly displayed on a stand where everything seemed to be labelled as to where the materials came from, its recycled content and just how terrifically green everything in the world of Toyota is. Irritatingly, smugly green, apparently.
Honda was showing its super clean FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell, while Subaru and Mitsubishi brought along their near production R1e and MiEV city cars - clever as they are, they'd be utterly terrifying on New York's insanely busy streets.
Nissan showed an electric Cube concept and has confirmed that the next generation Cube will be sold in the US. Amazingly for an American event, the home makers had nothing much of note on show that hadn't been revealed before.
Pontiac added some interest with its pretty Solstice coupé and Dodge's Challenger is new enough to draw a crowd, but it was left to Korean firm Hyundai to bring some real excitement to the show with its production-ready Genesis coupé. Hyundai has hinted heavily that this new performance car, a smart-looking rear-wheel-drive two-door with either 3.8-litre V6 or 2.0-litre turbo power, could reach Europe. If it did, it would be sure to sell well, particularly with Hyundai's attractive pricing.
Other highlights at the show included the unveiling of the Kia Koup concept and the new Saleen S5S Raptor concept. Saleen's spokesman being very keen to stress its potential to replace the Ford GT as America's "only" supercar. If the production car, expected by around 2010, looks half as good as the concept, then Saleen might just have a very serious rival for Europe's finest.
With new reveals such as Nissan's Maxima having little relevance outside the US, the New York International Motor Show is struggling to genuinely live up to the "international" in its title.
It's clear though that with the Detroit show slowly falling out of favour, as the influence of America's home manufacturers dwindles, New York could be perfectly positioned to become a far more important event.
Certainly, the city's roads could do with some of the fuel-saving technologies the manufacturers have on show, if only to give its citizens a new topic to discuss over breakfast.