For several years, automakers have been on a convergent trajectory when it comes to the quality, durability and reliability of their vehicles. And, while these qualities are always stalwarts on shoppers' lists of consideration points, there have - or had - been a shift toward the perception that quality is price of entry. That has been good news for automakers, especially the domestics, as the fact that quality had slid down the list of shopper consideration points, suggests that lots of people kind of expect all vehicles to be made well.

Hyundai threw down the gauntlet with Genesis; Chrysler did the same with its new Pacifica. It’s not accurate to say those were the disruption moments at the Detroit auto show this week, but they were emblematic for much of what happened there during press days: some automakers brought back older, sometimes iconic, names to help define who they are now and where they are going; others revealed new names and divisions to crash some old parties.  For Fiat Chrysler’s new vehicle, wearing that older, troubled name, I had my doubts, given what happened the first time around. I …

Could the Consumer Electronics Show be the biggest auto show of the year? In some ways, yes. It could definitely steal some thunder from the Detroit Auto Show. Automakers are making big announcements both at CES and with an eye to the timing of the event. Kia, for example, will announce a new program on Tuesday, probably about autonomous driving techs. Fiat Chrysler will reveal its fourth-generation Uconnect telematics system there, and show how it spotlights Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.