DETROIT (AP) — Japanese vehicle brands are exploring new design ideas — and figuring out what sets them apart from their U.S. and European rivals — with new prototype vehicles.

Nissan, Infiniti and Lexus are all unveiling new concept cars at the Detroit auto show, which opens to the public Saturday.

DETROIT (AP) — The North American International Auto Show in Detroit opened to the press this week with one big question hanging in the air: How will autonomous vehicles change the industry?

The answer is still unclear. In the meantime, automakers continue to put out new vehicles of all shapes and sizes, including small cars, SUVs and the all-mighty pickup truck, which dominated the show.

All will be on display when the show opens to the public Saturday, with a charity preview on Friday night.

DETROIT (AP) — It's the year of the pickup truck at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit as General Motors, Fiat Chrysler and Ford unveil new trucks in a fast-growing and highly competitive U.S. auto market.

But there are plenty of other vehicles at the show, which is one of the industry's largest. Mercedes and BMW have new SUVs, while several Japanese automakers are showing off prototypes of future vehicles.

DETROIT (AP) — Automakers have promised to start selling hordes of electric cars in the next few years, but only two will be unveiled at the big Detroit auto show that kicks off this week — and those aren't even ready for production.

Meanwhile, there will be plenty of SUVs and high-horsepower sports cars on display as cheap gasoline helps SUV and truck sales continue their dramatic climb.

DETROIT (AP) — The Latest on the Detroit auto show (all times local):

2:50 p.m.

An Infiniti concept electric SUV that ruined a press conference because it wouldn't move from back stage is now on display at the Detroit auto show.

The Infiniti QX Inspiration concept missed its introduction Monday morning and remained covered by a black tarp until early afternoon. The sleek white concept vehicle was being photographed on the stage.

DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai scored two out of three wins on Monday in the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards, as the Detroit auto show's press previews officially got underway.

The Hyundai Genesis G70 and Hyundai Kona took the car and utility awards, respectively, surprising officials with the South Korean automaker. The Genesis competed against the Honda Insight and Volvo S60/V60, and the Kona bested the Acura RDX and Jaguar I-Pace.

DETROIT (AP) — The North American International Auto Show in Detroit opened to the press this week with one big question hanging in the air: How will autonomous vehicles change the industry?

The answer is still unclear. In the meantime, automakers continue to put out new vehicles of all shapes and sizes, including small cars, SUVs and the all-mighty pickup truck, which dominated the show.

All will be on display when the show opens to the public Saturday, with a charity preview on Friday night.

DETROIT (AP) — Fiat Chrysler's Jeep brand is giving the Cherokee compact SUV a major face-lift so it can better compete in one of the hottest parts of the U.S. automotive market.

The 2019 Cherokee, unveiled Tuesday at the Detroit auto show, gets styling tweaks, a new engine, suspension improvements and engineering changes that save 200 pounds and improve gas mileage over the current model.

DETROIT (AP) — Chinese automaker GAC Motor will scrap the brand name it uses in China when it enters the U.S. market next year because it could be confused with President Donald Trump's surname.

For the past eight years, GAC has sold cars and SUVs under the brand Trumpchi in its home market, but is now researching new names before the company's expected U.S. debut in the fourth quarter of 2019.

DETROIT (AP) — The competition for full-size pickup truck customers in the U.S. is as rough-and-tumble as ever, with Ram and Chevrolet rolling out brawny-looking new models that are larger, lighter and more efficient than their predecessors.

DETROIT (AP) — If customers don't buy electric and more efficient cars and trucks, then Mercedes may not be able to meet government-imposed carbon dioxide emissions standards across the globe, its top executive says.

Dieter Zetsche, CEO of German automaker Daimler AG and head of its Mercedes luxury division, told reporters at the Detroit auto show Monday that he can't guarantee compliance.

DETROIT (AP) — Automotive journalists crowned the Honda Accord the North American Car of the Year on Monday, a first for the longtime model that's twice flirted for the top honor as a finalist.

The 10th-generation Accord edged out the Kia Stinger and Toyota Camry for the award, which was announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The award program, now in its 24th year, has twice gone to the Honda Civic.