GM hopes to grab a slice of the hot market for small SUVs with the new 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The U.S. version of the Trax was unveiled in New York. Photo credit: General Motors Company.

The New York International Auto Show is a major stop on the world's auto show circuit. Like so much else in New York, it's big, it's loud, and it's one of the industry's highest-profile stages.

The Motley Fool's Rex Moore and John Rosevear were in New York last week for the two days devoted to events for the world's automotive and financial media -- and they've captured the highlights to share with you through the magic of video.

General Motors (GM 0.48%) didn't have any media events at the show. That was unusual, especially since GM had a couple of new products to show off. But GM is clearly feeling the heat of the ongoing scandal over its long-delayed ignition-switch recalls, and the company maintained a remarkably low profile at the show.

But we did get a closer look at GM's new products. One of those is the 2015 Chevrolet Trax, a small crossover SUV that is coming to U.S. dealers early next year. The Trax isn't a brand-new product -- GM already sells it in other parts of the world. (Its close cousin, the Buick Encore, has been on sale here since last year.) 

As we saw in New York, the market for small SUVs and crossovers is getting a lot of attention right now. In that same week, Fiat Chrysler (NASDAQOTH: FIATY) showed off its new Jeep Renegade, Honda (HMC 0.59%) revealed photos of its upcoming HR-V, and Ford (F -1.92%) dropped hints that its small EcoSport SUV might come to American dealers.

GM is determined to grab a piece of this hot new market segment with the Trax. As we saw, it's an appealing package: When it arrives early next year, it'll be offered with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 138 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission, with the option of all-wheel drive. It sounds small, and it is -- but it's surprisingly roomy inside, as you can see in our separate report here.

The Trax is made in several GM factories around the world -- those coming to the U.S. will be made in Mexico and Korea, GM says. 

Take a closer look at the Trax with John and Rex, in this video report that they filed right from the show floor in New York.