Pessimism in the global motoring industry was pushed firmly into the background as the North American International Auto Show opened its doors in Detroit last week, with both new models and concepts helping to lift the manufacturers’ mood.

Admittedly, there was a major nod to austerity with many makers taking slimmed-down stand space, and dispensing with the luxury of laser pyrotechnics and other unnecessary exhibition expense.

But there was no dearth of designer wheels, or new-model news, particularly from US brands.

Chevrolet’s new supermini

Chevrolet says its new entry in the competitive supermini sector, the Spark, will arrive in the UK early in 2010, and, importantly for the land of the large limo, it will also form part of the marque’s North American range.

Developed mostly in Europe, the Spark will be produced in Korea. Chevrolet’s other show-stopper was the new Orlando seven-seater MPV, with rugged SUV-style looks.

“These two vehicles make a big statement,” says Wayne Brannon, director of Chevrolet Europe.

“We believe the Spark and Orlando will appeal to customers who want fuel efficiency, functionality, great design and excellent value.”

Kia brings sunshine

Kia brought some welcome sunshine to the midwinter Detroit with unveiling of its Soul’ster drop-top concept, a variation of the Kia Soul urban crossover.

The front-drive Soul’ster, a compact, chunky SUV with the look of a pick-up truck, can be powered by either 1.6 or 2.0-litre petrol engines, or a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel unit.

The firm didn’t give any intended sale-date details away, but the Soul’ster is a polished product that should soon make it into full production mode.

VW’s concept roadster

Volkswagen’s new mid-engined, rear-wheel drive concept roadster attracted much attention in North America, another design study that was presented with no immediate news of production possibilities.

Named Concept BlueSport to define its environmental and sporting aspirations, the two-seater roadster employs a mid-mounted 2.0-litre common-rail diesel engine, with a lightweight chassis, to enhance sharp dynamics.

The car can accelerate from standstill to 62mph in 6.6 seconds, with a top speed of 140mph.

Ford annouce hybrids

Ford was pushing its plans for alternative-power cars, with chairman Bill Ford announcing hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric cars.

The Blue Oval firm will launch at least four high-mileage battery-electric vehicles by 2012.

Audi debuted a new Sportback concept, one that shares the dimensions of the existing A6 luxury saloon, and which is driven by a new 47mpg-plus 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.

Lexus’s luxury hybrid

And, still at the premium end of the motor market, Lexus revealed its HS 250h, the world’s first dedicated luxury hybrid vehicle.

The 2.4-litre HS 250h, on sale in the US later this year, will be Lexus’ fourth hybrid and the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its line-up.

It will also be the first Lexus to utilise carbon-neutral plastic materials in the car’s futuristic cockpit.

The firm is pushing its hybrid technology after its research revealed that more than 60 per cent of first-time luxury car buyers would consider a hybrid.

So, with few manufacturers in Detroit expanding on the economic crisis, the message was clear – many expect to weather the current tough trading conditions and come out the other side with the kind of cars that will consolidate their future.