Here are a few of the major stories from the show floor at Cobo Center in 2014. Includes a big photo gallery, too—have a look.  

In no particular order, here are four key stories that emerged at NAIAS 2014—items that could make a lasting impression on the car biz throughout the year and beyond.

+  2015 Ford F-150 – The next-generation F-Series pickup will make extensive use of aluminum construction (and an advanced, robot-applied adhesive bonding process)  to shed 700 lbs. in the cab, doghouse, box, and tailgate. The lightness-adding program in turn allows smaller, more efficient engines, including a new 2.7L EcoBoost V6 that offers up to 23 mpg on the highway. This could be a game changer in the full-size truck market—and for the collision-shop business.

+   Porsche 911 Targa – The latest Targa has drawn considerable controversy with its automated roof-stowing function. Sports car purists are horrified by the additional weight, complexity and cost. But on the other hand, high-end car guys are gadget guys, and this is one heck of a gadget, mesmerizing to watch. On a luxury watch, it’s called a complication.

+   Cadillac ATS Coupe – General Motors is on a roll at NAIAS 2014, scoring Car of the Year with the Corvette Stingray and Truck of the Year with the Silverado. Expect some accolades as well for the new Cadillac ATS Coupe. The smallest Caddy two-door ever, the ATS Coupe could propel the brand into new regions of the luxury car market. And the new grille crest draws plenty of attention, too—it’s the size of Richard Petty’s belt buckle.

+   Corvette Z06 – The latest Corvette to wear the Z06 designation is also the first to wear a blower, an intercooled 1.7L Eaton TVS unit that boosts the LS V8’s output to 620+ hp and 635+ lb-ft of torque. This development, in turn, has generated speculation as to what a next-gen, C7-based ZR1 Corvette might be about. 850 hp twin turbo? JATO rockets?

Look for all these attractions and plenty more in the gallery below.