Three trends to watch for at the Detroit auto show

The 2013 Ford Fusion is unveiled at the Detroit auto show on Jan. 9. The show opens to the public Jan. 14. (Photos by The Associated Press)

DETROIT — The timing is perfect for automakers to unveil more than 40 new cars and trucks at the industry's annual trade show in Detroit. U.S. sales are the highest since 2008 and they're expected to keep growing. Buyers are being lured by cheap loans and an improving economy.

Carmakers, feeling buoyant about their prospects for 2012, will try to outdo each other at the North American International Auto Show with lights, music and models to generate buzz among the show's 750,000 expected visitors.

Here are three trends to look for when the show opens to the public Jan. 14.

1. Fuel-efficient cars with more style and safety features
People looking for a more efficient car will have plenty of choices among midsize sedans and compacts. But being efficient doesn't mean these cars will be stripped down. They'll be loaded with gadgets to win customers in these fiercely competitive car segments.

The Lexus LF-LC hybrid sports car concept is big on luxury.

The Chevrolet Tru 140S concept was designed for Gen Y.

Ford is unveiling a redone version of its top-selling Fusion midsize sedan. The new model, which goes on sale this fall, will feature a sharper design and a warning system to alert drivers when they drift into another lane. It's the first time such a system has been on a non-luxury car, Ford says.

Honda is unveiling a new Accord coupe, a model that will foreshadow the looks of its new sedan due in showrooms later this year. Both cars will compete with Chevrolet's new Malibu sedan, which goes on sale this spring.

The show will also feature smaller cars, including the Dodge Dart, which is named for the hot-selling compact introduced in 1960. The Dart will heat up an already competitive market that includes the new Hyundai Elantra, Chevrolet Cruze and Honda Civic.

Volkswagen will debut a hybrid version of the Jetta, hoping to keep its sales momentum going. Last year, sales of the Jetta jumped after it was redesigned.

2. Small luxury sedans
Luxury-car sales grew just 2.8 percent in 2011, compared with 10-percent growth for the industry as a whole, according to Autodata Corp. But an improving economy and a slew of new cars could turn that around, especially since many of those new models are less-expensive, small sedans.

Cadillac, BMW and Acura are all unveiling new small cars. Hyundai will launch a new Genesis Coupe, aiming for luxury buyers who want to spend less. Lincoln will give a big hint about its new direction with a concept version of the MKZ midsize car. The new MKZ will go on sale later this year.

But the most striking luxury model may be at the Lexus stand, which will display the swooping LF-LC hybrid sports car concept that was crafted in Toyota's California design studio.

3. Trendy subcompacts for younger buyers
Millennials are a growing force in the market, and are expected to start out with small, affordable cars. But unlike earlier generations, they expect luxury and connectivity, automakers say.

To appeal to this group, this year's show will feature subcompacts with perks such as leather seats, ambient lighting and easy connections to cellphone applications like Pandora.

Subcompacts unveiled at the show will include Toyota's new Prius c hybrid, the Mini Roadster convertible, the sporty Chevrolet Sonic RS and a turbocharged version of the new Hyundai Veloster.

Smart will debut the For-Us concept, an electric pickup truck that is so tiny it could fit in the bed of a regular truck. And Chevrolet will show off two concept cars — the Code 130R and Tru 140S — which are the product of a two-year study of teens and 20-somethings.