Chicago Auto Show

Mazda’s Nextourer concept, right, a blending of sport-utility and sedan, is one of more than a dozen concept and production vehicles being unveiled this week at the Chicago Auto Show. Mazda also is exhibiting a special-edition Miata, one of a handful of cars at a show where trucks seem to rule the roost. A total of six new pickups will be unwrapped at the Windy City exposition, and most have four doors and five- or six-passenger cabs. Among them is the full-size GMC Sierra four-door, left, which will go on sale later this year as a 2001 model. Among production cars being unveiled are the redesigned and re-engineered Dodge Stratus sedan and coupe (the Avenger name, previously used for the coupe, has been dropped). Buick is showing the 2002 Rendezvous, a crossover sedan-cum-SUV built on the same front-wheel-drive minivan platform Pontiac used for the Aztek.