1994.(50th Anniversary countdown)

Even a 10-inch blizzard can't bury a big Detroit auto show. The Volkswagen Concept 1 (prototype of the New Beetle) bows, the first

North American Car and Truck of the Year awards are given (Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Dodge Ram), and the first AutoWeek Design Forum is staged.

Chrysler's year-end report shows that 1993 was its best year since 1970; it gained 1.4 points of market share and is stockpiling cash to use in product development and to fend off raider Kirk Kerkorian. It sells Lamborghini to MegaTech, the Indonesian owners of Vector.

Japanese and European makers retrench while Detroit's Big Three gain market share on the strength of a 16 percent boom in sales of minivans, trucks and SUVs.

California's zero-emissions-vehicle mandate, set to take effect in 1998, is the focus of hot debate in Sacramento, in Washington, D.C., and in Detroit.

General Motors' Impact sets a new land-speed record for electric vehicles, at more than 183 mph.

Neil Bonnett dies in a crash during practice for the Daytona 500. Sterling Marlin wins the 500, his first trip to victory lane after 12 years-nearly 280 races-as a NASCAR driver.