So, do you pronounce it “nays” or “nayus” or maybe “nas”? However you try to pronounce it the North American International Auto Show is wrapping up and I figured its as good a time as any to start this site proper (as soon as I wipe all the drool off my keyboard). What follows is a completely random and whimsy romp through the cars of nays… er nayus…. er Detroit ‘08, yeah, that works.

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

Finally Volkswagen has come through and… oh wait that’s a Caddy. Yep, this seemingly VW Corrado inspired looker is the Cadillac CTS Coupe concept. This is intended to be Cadillac’s answer to the BMW 3-series coupe and I like the styling. Its hard to pull off a big flashy grill on a coupe but this car manages it and its resemblance to the VW sport-hatch (especially in the c-pillar) only endears it to me more. There’s also talk it might recieve the 550hp Corvette-based engine from its big bad brother the CTS-V should this car reach production.

So all you studio apartment wannabe gangstas get ready for your dream car. Its a cool, fast Caddy that fits in those downtown parking garages that gave your Escalade a shave.

Suzuki X-Head Concept

This 1.4 liter 4×4 will be the envy off all your golf buddies as you come tearing over the green in this golf cart on steroids.

The Suzuki X-head is a design study that could actually work in America. Not as a major seller to the public, but to corporations, golf clubs and to the government. What better way to efficiently do grounds keeping and on-site maintenance? I could easily country club maintenance men running around in this as they deftly dodge flying mulligans. For inner city urban development or large construction sites where you really need to get around but zipping around all that heavy equipment is too difficult in a full size truck this would be ideal. Something like this could really take off in the commercial sector.

It also comes in Emergency Rescue Cherry and Motorhome Creme flavors to accompany its Live It Up Lime mode shown above.

Hummer HX Concept

Now this is what the H3 should have been. Not the “mommy will you cosign this please” wannabe Hummer it is. This sporty and angular concept is actually smaller than the H3 and is a preview of whats to come from Hummer. It is intended as a more upscale rival to the Jeep Wrangler and as long as they get the engine right I’d happily take this over a Rubicon any day.

Buick Riviera Concept

This is a really nice design study from Buick. It also showcases a feature found on several of the shows concept cars: extreme wrap around headlights. A very cool little coupe that is obviously pushing the design language seen in the current Buick Enclave. A neat feature is the illuminating hood center peak and rear emblem. Its a good direction for Buick. I just hope they can get past their grampa car image. Few 20-somethings up and comers are too young to have experienced the amazing cars of Buicks past like the GS and Grand National

Can you really see yourself proudly strutting up to your buddies in their Mustangs and BMWs and saying “Oh yeah? well I’ve got a Buick.” Just doesn’t quite roll off the tongue does it?

Lincoln MKT Concept

Dear sweet jeebus do I love this grill. Big, beefy, and about damn time. Also seen on the Lincoln MKR concept last year, Lincoln still hasn’t made a decent representation of this style on any production vehicle.

As for the rest of this Ford Flex based crossover, externally I’m not overly impressed. Too much car and not enough SUV. With its almost hatch like D-pillar to its tramp stamp tail light bar, it just doesn’t do it for me.

The interior is another story though. The Lincoln MKT Interior is elegant and tasteful. Though I’m not certain about that iPhone-ish center console.

Ford Verve Concept

I don’t know what it will take. If we have to hold the Ford headquarters hostage with velcro and silly string (don’t ask) to get them to bring their european design team over here we should do it. And with fervor, I dare say.

Ford Europe has done a great job building handsome, quality cars. This Verve Concept showcases some of it and it can really be seen in the current generation Ford Mondeo. This small 4-door is a wonderful change from the stale Focus. Let’s hope the exec’s up top finally get back from their ages long European vacation and start giving us what we have been asking for.

Toyota A-BAT

Someone should take “A-BAT” to the designer’s face. Atleast they’d look alike then.

Lexus F-A Roadster

Japanese in the front, Italian in the back, and all business. There’s no info on the F-A yet but I want one. I don’t care if comes with a 2-cylinder soybean engine, me want.

Fisker Four-Door Plug-in Hybrid

You read the title right. Its a plug-in hybrid. With a claimed mileage of 100mpg and 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds, this interesting car could nicely boost the hybrid market for just over the cost of a Corvette Z06.

When you absolutely, positively have to suck-up to Al Gore.

VW Passat CC

I’m a big fan of Volkswagen, not really for style, but for the sheer fun factor of their cars like the GTI. However, this VW really caught my eye. Its one of the new 4-door “coupe” stlye cars. Which translates to “no rear headroom”. Even though it loses some comfort, what it loses in functionality it gains back in style. Too bad it doesn’t also get a sportier engine, sticking to the standard engine slection of the current Passat.

And that’s the end of my NAIAS ‘08 round up.I’m sure I’ll add a few more come next week but these are the ones that immediately caught my eye. Have a good weekend and if you actually read all this way: Thanks.