From WJRT (ABC Flint) - New Jeep Wrangler unveiled has more of everything

U.S. Automakers are trying to put their financial problems behind them - and focus on what's new.

This year's show is important for both GM and Ford. Both companies lost billions last year, so they need to put on a good face. Here is your chance to get a taste of what they're up to.

The crossover vehicle is king inside Cobo Center. One example is GM's new Buick Enclave concept. The company says it's a new phase in American luxury cars.

Ford's new crossover vehicle is the Edge.

All of the automakers presented their Sunday best for media day.

These people will take their ideas to the world, but at the end of the day, auto makers have to impress everyday consumers like car polisher Kenith Penn, who drover here in an '88 Mercury

Penn says the bottom line is affordability and fuel mileage.

Eva Longoria can make any car look good, but analysts say GM and Ford will rise and fall on their own. They must engage regular consumers.

With thousands of journalists and auto company leaders inside of Cobo Center, autoworkers thought Sunday was the perfect opportunity to send their message outside.

They want everyone to know they're upset about threatened wage and pension cuts. Many of the protestors said they were scared about the future and they're angry.

"We're angry that our standard of living is being forced to go down, but we also want to make it clear that if this happens to Delphi workers, it's going to happen to everybody. It will affect everybody," said protest organizer Wendy Thompson.

Many of the protestors were from mid Michigan.

A bus load of the protesters from Flint were on hand for Sunday's protest.

The North American International Auto Show opens to the public next Saturday. Adult admission is $12, senior citizens are $6. Children ages 7-12 get in for $5, with free admission for kids 6-years-old and younger.

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