Chinese carmaker hits top gear at Detroit Auto Show

Detroit, the mighty "Motor City" that's going through tough economic times, has something to celebrate this January as the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), also known as the Detroit Auto Show, kicked off on Saturday.

Forty automobile companies, including Chinese automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd (GAC Group), have unveiled more than 20 new cars, trucks and SUVs at the event.

GAC Group, the first Chinese carmaker to appear in the main halls of the show in its more than 100-year history this year, unveiled the Enverge electric concept vehicle and GA4 at the show.

The company, which has an R&D center in Silicon Valley and plans to set up a design studio in Los Angeles, announced move to enter the already competitive US auto market by the fourth quarter of 2019.

Honda, Volvo and Lincoln are the biggest winner at this year's show as the 2018 Honda Accord, Volvo XC60 and Lincoln Navigator were named Car of the Year, Utility of the Year and Truck of the Year respectively.