The athletic WRX concept helped Subaru gauge public reaction to a production version. (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) Before the recession, automakers at auto shows regularly showed off futuristic concept cars, which seemed more about keeping the design departments busy than developing future products. When resources became scarce, concept cars largely became prototypes brought out to gauge public reaction. Such is still the case, given the assortment of concept cars we saw during the most recent international auto show cycle. Beginning with last year’s Paris Motor Show, and running through Detroit, Geneva, and New York, automakers unveiled concepts that tended to be templates for new models. The reaction these cars received from public and press…
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