DETROIT -- The city is struggling with the failing health of the domestic auto industry, but you'd never notice it at this year's North American International Auto Show.

The show is more subdued with less lavish displays than in previous years, forcing automakers to rely on the new cars and trucks to provide the razzle-dazzle.

This show marks the dawning of the age of the supereconomy car. There are a number of cars on display that are expected to get 40 miles per gallon or more -- far in excess of what consumers have come to consider as good gas mileage. The Honda Insight, Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Prius and Ford Fusion all take different approaches to the challenge of providing outstanding fuel economy while still offering reasonable creature comforts.

The Insight is a streamlined compact with styling that is strikingly similar to Honda's Clarity, a hydrogen fuel-cell-powered car that is being leased on a limited basis in various parts of the country. Rated at 40/43 mpg with its hybrid system generating 98 horsepower, the Insight is well equipped, but modest. Honda officials say the Insight is intended as an entry-level hybrid.

The Chevy compact Cruze has a traditional gas-powered engine that still gets about 40 mpg. Appointments are definitely upscale. The Cruze is being positioned as a premium compact.

Toyota's all-new Prius is significantly larger than the current model, but retains much of the styling of the 2008 car. Its mileage ratings are up, as is the interior space.

Ford's Fusion hybrid is aimed at the family car market and reportedly gets 41 mpg.

In other auto show news, GM unveiled an all-new Buick LaCrosse sedan that is the result of a collaboration between designers in the United States and China with chassis and body engineering work done in Europe. That makes the LaCrosse the first GM car to be created on three continents. Buick is highly popular in China, where more models are sold per year than in North America.

Cadillac is another brand on which GM is concentrating resources. The all-new Cadillac SRX was unveiled at the show.

Meanwhile, Ford's Taurus has been completely revamped, taking on a far more tailored, European-flavored design that has some of the hallmarks of a concept sedan that Ford introduced a couple of years ago.

Volvo garnered a lot of attention for its stunning Volvo S60 concept, which previews styling from an upcoming new S60 expected to hit the showroom soon.

Subaru unveiled a Legacy sedan concept that is unlike anything seen before from the company, and it is a clear signal that Subaru intends to upgrade the popular sedan when it comes out in a year or two.