Weekly auto agenda: Dakar Rally

(AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA)

The 32nd Annual Dakar Rally starts 2010 with a bang. AutoExpo in New Delhi promises small car unveilings from major Indian and world manufacturers, ahead of the North American International Auto Show the week after, one of the year's biggest events.

32nd Dakar Rally
January 1-16
Buenos Aires, Argentina

The 9,000km race for both cars and motorbikes starts in Buenos Aires on New Year's Day, winding its way around Argentina and into Chile, across the dry Atacama desert before finishing back in the capital over a fortnight later.
http://www.dakar.com

10th New Delhi Auto Show
January 5-11
New Delhi, India
The biennial New Delhi Auto Show will draw nearly 1.8 million visitors to the subcontinent's premier motor exhibition. More than 2,100 exhibitors from 25 countries will showcase their wares as they vie for a niche in one of the largest underdeveloped car markets in the world. Honda and Toyota are both planning releases at the show whilst Chevrolet will unveil its Beat compact for the first time at the event.
www.autoexpo.in

2010 North American International Auto Show
January 11-24
Detroit, USA
North America's capital of cars hosts one of the largest global shows in the motoring calendar. Last year, 650,000 attendees poured through the doors of the Cobo Center in Detroit; as the car industry begins to bounce back this year, organizers are expecting the wraps to be taken off more than 30 new models. Winners of the Michelin Challenge Design and the EyesonDesign Awards will also be announced.
www.naias.com

2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year Award
January 11
Detroit, USA
Organizers have narrowed the shortlist down to three cars and three trucks - the car finalists are the Buick LaCrosse, Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Volkswagen Golf whilst truck finalists are the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Transit Connect and the Subaru Outback. The jury is composed of automotive journalists, writers and broadcasters from across the US and Canada.
www.northamericancaroftheyear.org

Tokyo Auto Salon
January 15 - 17
Tokyo, Japan
The world's largest custom car extravaganza - Tokyo Auto Salon 2010 - takes over the Makuhari Messe convention center, with around 600 vehicles on display, as well as presentations by custom shops, car manufacturers and parts firms.
www.e-autosalon.net