As Green Hangover Sets in, Industry Turns to Big Trucks and More Horses [2.8.08]

[T Mac]

With its long-awaited return here, the Dodge Challenger was the undisputed king of the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. But it was the trucks that made up the bulk of important reveals, with automakers presenting an awesome combination of machinery—from fuel-sipping, load-hauling hybrid pickups to an over-the-top, over-the-road tractor.

And that stands in stark contrast to the heavy fuel-economy buzz that’s dominated the the last few shows—green was practically all you could see from Frankfurt to Los Angeles and Detroit. With so many debuts heavy on efficiency across the globe these past two years, have the big manufacturers decided we need a break from all their prognosticating on our alt-fuel future? Could be.

Click here to read 2008 more of the Chicago Auto Show truck analysis from Popular Mechanics