From the moment the Selected by God choir — famed for the "Imported from Detroit" commercial — sang "Lean on Me" at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the 2012 North American International Auto Show has hit one high note after another.

For heaven’s sake, Detroit just hosted the operatic grandeur of the unveiling of Germany’s two greatest sports cars — the Mercedes-Benz SL 550 and Porsche 911 Carrera convertible.

Not every vehicle at Cobo Center was on time and on key, though.

Here are my choices for who made beautiful music and which automakers missed a beat.

HIT: 2013 Ford Fusion: With arresting looks, advanced technology and startling fuel economy, the Fusion will be among the cars to beat for every major award this year.

Its voracious grille and sleek fastback tail take midsize sedans to new heights of style.

A plug-in hybrid that promises an EPA rating above 100 mpg in battery mode, a conventional hybrid that gets 47 mpg in the city and a gasoline-powered model rated 37 mpg on the highway add practicality.

Ford’s usual suite of advanced features completes the picture, including what should be an improved version of the controversial MyFordTouch controls.

If I had a dollar for every showgoer who said, "That’s the Fusion?" … well, I’d probably buy a Mustang GT convertible, but that’s just me.

HIT: 2013 Cadillac ATS: Very few cars have ever looked better on paper than the ATS sport sedan: a 51/49 weight distribution for balance and handling, a 270-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, magnetic ride control and Cadillac’s latest voice-recognition and infotainment system.

The chassis pioneers a new way to reduce weight, one of GM’s biggest challenges. The exterior design is another effective example of Cadillac’s signature look.

Cadillac developed the ATS in Detroit to meet or beat the BMW 3 series. When you come at the king, you best not miss.

MISS: Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ: Quick, without looking at the badges, tell me which of these cars is the Subaru and which is the Scion.

Jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, the Scion FR-S (in white) and Subaru BRZ (in blue) are an affront to the idea that brand identity matters.

Toyota preens about the FR-S’ intentional similarity to the brand’s 2000GT, while Subaru mumbles that the BRZ pays "some homage to classic GT-type sports cars."

The sheer cynicism of the entire project is doubly sad because the lightweight rear-drive coupe will probably be a delight to drive.

HIT: Acura NSX concept: Impossibly low and wide, this hybrid exotic sports car bears the weight of Acura’s dreams.

Honda’s luxury brand has slipped in recent years. Oddball looks and so-so performance left it behind other luxury brands.

With a mid-mounted V6 engine and a pair of electric motors — each providing power independently to one front wheel — the NSX constitutes a one-vehicle campaign to re-establish Acura as a leader in efficiency, design and performance.

HIT: 2013 BMW 3 series sedan: The 3-series sedan showcases BMW’s historic strengths. It’s roomier, faster and more powerful than the car it replaces, but also weighs less — depending on the engine — and should get higher fuel economy.

The base 328i’s new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine generates more power than the 3.0-liter straight-six it replaces. An eight-speed automatic transmission is available, and a hybrid arrives later this year.

HIT: 2013 Dodge Dart: The Dart compact sedan hints at great things to come from Chrysler’s alliance with Fiat.

Its broad cross-hair grille and sporty stance make it immediately recognizable as a Dodge, but engineers in Auburn Hills stretched and widened the platform of the sporty Alfa Romeo Giulietta to create a car that promises up to 40 mpg on the highway and more rear legroom than a Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan.

A year from now, we’ll see how Chrysler and Fiat engineering made new models for the Jeep and Chrysler brands. This is a good start.

MISS: Chrysler 700C concept: Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne has a love-hate relationship with his company’s minivans. He loves the money they make, but hates the fact that Dodge and Chrysler sell two largely identical vehicles.

The ungainly 700C is not the answer. Its long hood recalls the failed GM minivans that tried desperately to pass for SUVs.

Every other automaker would love to have a pair of minivans that combined for 200,000-plus sales last year. Chrysler should just suck it up and admit that making minivans is the business it chose.

HIT: Maserati Kubang: This SUV promises to combine Ferrari-built engines, lavish Maserati design and Detroit engineering and assembly.

If it delivers a unique luxury-performance SUV, the Kubang will open new doors for Italian premium brands and American technology and workmanship.

Legend has it the awkward name — first used on a Maserati concept SUV in 2003 — originated as a Ferrari executive’s practical joke on the Italian brand, which had been a rival until Fiat acquired it. Don’t worry: The Kubang concept is destined for production. Its name isn’t.

HIT: Chevrolet Code 130R concept: You can think of this small and fuel-efficient rear-wheel drive coupe as a mini-Camaro or a BMW 1 series at a Chevrolet price.

Either way, I think I love it, and I wish Chevy would build it.

HIT: Lexus LF-LC concept: Long, low and elegant, this luxury coupe is everything Lexus’ last big two-door was not.

The SC 430 hardtop convertible was an overstuffed pillow on wheels: soft and soporific. The lithe LF-LC concept recalls Lexus’ first coupe, the legitimately sporty SC 300.

Lexus wants to become an emotional brand. The LF-LC is a good first step.

MISS: Honda Accord coupe concept: The Accord coupe concept — nearly identical to the model that goes on sale later this year — isn’t the car that will inject new excitement into the Honda brand.

The design is evolutionary and the big new technical features — a direct-injection engine and six-speed automatic transmission — are old hat.

Honda had better hope the Accord sedan that also goes on sale this year has a little more spice.