By Mark Vaughn, AutoWeek

The first day of the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show featured one new Ford, two new Kias and a plug for communism from the head of Mercedes-Benz.

So, yeah, it was an eventful first day.

After its new 2013 Ford Fusion plug-in hybrid was named Car of the Show--following previous such distinctions for the Focus electric and the Taurus--Ford CEO Alan Mulally pulled the cover off the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Ford promised that the Fusion Energi will return 100 mpg-e when it enters the market this fall. That's only 12 mpg-e less than the Mitsubishi "i" electric car, which is supposed to be the most efficient mass-produced car sold in America at the moment.

Join us as MSN.ca Autos hits the auto show floor January 9th and 10th, during the press preview days! Get expert updates and opinions on vehicle announcements throughout the press days. You can also submit comments on what you'd like to see and share your thoughts!

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Next Monday and Tuesday are the media preview days for the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and several MSN Autos Canada contributors will be there. Between preview coverage on The Passing Lane, live photos and blogging from the press conferences, and a big post-event wrap afterwards, nothing will escape our attention.

But the auto show biz isn't what it used to be. Rarely are there complete surprises on show day since most of the information is leaked early. So we already know about which serious vehicles will be making their debuts in Detroit: the new Acura NSX, the Lexus LF-LC concept, the Nissan Pathfinder, plus all kinds of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and other green vehicles.

So what are you most excited about? Personally, I'm very interested in seeing the new Cadillac ATS up close and personal.

Keep your eyes peeled for all our coverage on the main MSN Autos Canada page next Monday.

By Jake Lingeman, AutoWeek

Volkswagen will debut a new wagon based on the European-market Passat at the Tokyo motor show. It's called the Alltrack and features the amenities people need for light-duty off-roading and light towing applications.

The Passat Alltrack has VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system that can send 100 percent of the power to the rear wheels if needed, but it normally bumbles around with front-wheel power.

The new car gets SUV-style bumpers with wheel-well and side-sill flares. It has a bigger off-road ramp angle, approach angle, departure angle and higher ground clearance all around. VW says it's an excellent alternative for driving on unpaved roads.

By Jake Lingeman, AutoWeek

The Chevrolet TrailBlazer made its return at the Dubai International motor show. The show vehicle is a precursor to the production version but is very similar, according to General Motors.

The seven-passenger TrailBlazer looks a lot like GM's recent SUV and crossover entries, with a rounded body, curved headlight housings and LED accents. You can see hints of the Chevy Traverse, Equinox and Orlando in the shape.

By Jake Lingeman, AutoWeek

Chrysler is taking more than 30 Mopar-modified cars to the 2011 SEMA show, all of which will be sitting in the company's 28,400-square-foot display area. More than 500 Mopar parts will be displayed.

The Mopar “image” vehicles include the Chrysler 300 SF6, the Dodge Challenger SRT8 ACR, the Dodge Durango Tow Hook, the Fiat Titanium, the Fiat Carbon and the Ram 392 Quick Silver.

Bing: What does MOPAR stand for?

By Michelle Koueiter, AutoWeek

Holden, General Motors' Australian subsidiary, has resurrected its first-ever concept car: the 1969 Hurricane, packed with then-futuristic technology, some of which wouldn't make its way into production cars for more than a decade.

When it was first revealed, the mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-seat sports car showcased in-your-dreams innovations such as a rearview camera, a magnet-based navigation system, automatic air conditioning, electronic displays and a station-seeking radio.

Bing: Australia's domestic battle - Holden vs. Ford

By Jake Lingeman, AutoWeek

Hyundai will debut its newest prototype, the Genesis Hurricane SC, at the SEMA show in Las Vegas next month. With the help of Magnuson Products, Rhys Millen Racing, Harman International and Torvec Inc., Hyundai upped the output of its rear-wheel-drive coupe to 450 hp.

The Hurricane SC (for supercharged) is the result of two years of development to enhance the power, traction, braking, exterior and interior design and the audio system.

The Magnuson supercharger produces six to seven pounds of boost, which generates a 35 percent to 45 percent increase in horsepower, according to Hyundai. The company says the engine internals could easily handle more. To keep the power up and the supercharger running, Hyundai added a liquid-to-air intercooler.

Bing: How does a supercharger work?

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

It`s getting to be that time of year: award season. First, we mentioned the Canadian Automotive Jury`s Best of the Best award nominees, and later this month, we`ll be on the ground in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario for the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) annual Test Fest to determine its awards for the best vehicles in a dozen different categories.

Finally, the chosen list of potential winners for North American Car and Truck of the Year has been revealed. Three nominees from both car and truck will be announced later this fall, and the eventual winners announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next January.

Bing: Learn more about the North American Car of the Year awards

The nominees in alphabetical order are: 

Cars:

Audi A6
Audi A7
Buick Verano
Chevrolet Sonic
Chrysler 300/SRT-8
Fiat 500
Ford Focus
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Veloster
Kia Rio/Rio 5
Scion iQ
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Camry
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen Passat

Trucks:

BMW X3
Honda CR-V
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Mini Countryman
Nissan Quest
Saab 9-4X

By Jeremy Sinek for MSN Autos

Just one Jaguar XK-E mixing it with Toronto traffic on a busy workaday morning would be sure to swivel heads. Four of them driving in convoy, with a police escort, twisted enough necks to keep the province’s chiropractors in business for years.

Widely regarded as the most beautiful car of all time, if not the outright sexiest, the XK-E (a.k.a. E-Type) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, four pristine examples were driven to the heart of hogtown’s financial district on Monday. As the feline foursome posed on the Bay Street sidewalk outside Brookfield Place, Megan Fox could have walked by in her birthday suit and nobody would have noticed.