Seattle Auto Show: Steering Wheel and Dashboard Edition

I spent Saturday morning tooling around the 2012 Seattle Auto Show with my son checking out the latest models from the major auto makers. As usual, I was more interested in some of the less-expensive small models than the exotic sports cars and luxury brands. Rather than do a broad recap of the show I'm going to do a series of posts that focus on trends or details that I found interesting.

This edition looks at some of the steering wheel and dashboard designs that I saw on the show floor. Also see my look at the tailpipe and exhaust designs and the wheels and rims. 

Spokes, buttons, leather, faux chrome and plastic were all represented when I was able to get my hands on the wheels of several interesting cars and trucks.

Hyundai Elantra GT steering wheel.
I would have strongly considered this model if it had been on sale when I was shopping in the late spring.
But the interior of my VW GTI is much, much higher quality.

Chevrolet Volt cockpit and steering wheel

Subaru Crosstrek steering wheel.
Good looking car on the outside, not so much on the inside.

Subaru BR-Z  with a meaty steering wheel to go with its sporty performance.

Jeep Grand Cherokee steering wheel

Dodge Journey dashboard and steering wheel.
I was impressed with this vehicle's packaging until I saw the fuel economy numbers.

The Dodge Dart dashboard with dueling screens.

The Dodge Ram pickup has the big, thick wheel you would expect.
This is bar far, the nicest of the full-size pickup interiors.

A meaty Mini Cooper Coupe steering wheel and dashboard

Morgan Three Wheeler interior

Nissan Frontier dashboard

Audi always does great interiors. The S6 is excellent.

Honda kept the new Accord's dash straightforward

Chevrolet Spark dash.
Small and inexpensive no longer means drab.

A Cadillac CTS wagon with a cool suede steering wheel and trim.

The new BMW 328 dashboard and wheel remain clean and simple.

Car Companies Start Making Money While the Royal Wedding Gets a Used Car

Almost two years to the day after Chrysler filed for bankruptcy protection, the auto maker, now partially owned by Italy's Fiat, announced plans to pay back the $7.5 billion in loans from the U.S. government. The deal will give Fiat a larger stake -- 46% -- in Chrysler and be funded by new bank loans.

Auto industry earnings

Chrysler isn't the only auto maker on better financial footing these days. It's earning season and Volkswagen, Ford, Kia and Hyundai have all posted strong profits. But the earthquake in Japan pounded Honda profits as it continues to run factories at reduced capacity because of parts shortages.

As we wait for auto sales, there are further signs of rebound in the U.S. motorcycle market. Both new motorcycle sales and motorcycle tire sales (a sign of increased ridership) have risen in recent months, riding demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles.

While motorcycles might be more dangerous than cars, steering wheels in vehicles are typically dirtier than public toilet seats according to a recent study.

Touchscreens are becoming more prevalent in cars; 3D televisions are showing up in homes, and now one company is developing 3D screens for vehicles that won't require special glasses.

Amid all the buzz around the Royal Wedding there is a little nugget for car people. Wills and Katie will be riding from the nuptials in an old Rolls-Royce given to Queen Elizabeth (his grandmum) in 1977 on her Silver Jubilee.

Finally, the Fast and the Furious series has been one of the more successful auto-themed movie franchises and the lastest edition -- Fast Five -- is getting surprisingly good reviews. Will you go see it?

• Check in Monday for a new GTSOTR podcast.