Since its inception in 1907, the LA Auto Show has welcomed millions of car nuts into its metal-and-rubber-filled halls. The show acts as the perfect opportunity for manufacturers to present their products to consumers in a glitzy environment, while potential buyers can see, sit in, and even drive a large number of cars on a single day. This year the show took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center from Nov. 30 to Dec. 9. A visit makes the perfect weekend road trip from the Central Coast, thanks to the twists of Route 154 and the scenic cruise along the coast down Highway 101. Just be prepared for the iconic LA traffic around the convention center in the heart of downtown.
Luckily, parking was a bit easier as the convention center has ample parking structures and even a valet service for people willing to pay at the front entrance. Tickets this year were a reasonable $12, which included a whole day of browsing and a booklet with maps and information. Almost every manufacturer that sells cars in the United States and many aftermarket parts and tuning companies set up large displays in five halls. As in years prior, Porsche took up one of the smaller halls by itself. Of the manufacturers not present, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Bugatti, Lamborghini, McLaren, and especially Tesla stood out. These companies often pioneer the automotive technologies and designs that find their way into higher-volume cars, and they all have new models in the pipeline. Tesla’s absence was especially puzzling given its green credentials as a maker of electric cars, its recent praise from many automobile magazines, and the fact that its cars are assembled in California. Apparently these manufacturers decided the economy hadn’t improved enough to publicly show off their more expensive wares.
Each hall of the show was filled not only with new cars, but also with over- (and under-) dressed company reps, giant posters, information stations, racecars, shiny engines, and giant video screens running commercials. The largest manufacturer booths were set up by Toyota and Ford, two of the best-selling brands. One of the most popular booths this year was Honda’s. In addition to the standard booth paraphernalia, the company had IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti’s open-wheel racecar and a promotion that had attendees visit a certain number of information booths to receive a free model of the racecar. On the opposite end of the fun spectrum, many booths featured large displays for often-drab hybrid and electric cars. A few efficient cars bucked this trend, including BMW’s i8 concept and Acura’s new NSX prototype, also featured as Tony Stark’s ride in Iron Man 2. Perhaps the most refreshing new booth was Fiat’s. After acquiring Chrysler Group, the Italian company is on its way back in the United States. In addition to the fashionable Fiat 500 popular with many Central Coast drivers, the company showcased the new Fiat 500L, which will appeal to an even greater audience thanks to its larger size. Of the big-screen commercials playing on loops, Fiat’s were the most creative and humorous. Do yourself a favor and Google them.
Among the cars having their world debut at the show, the 2013 Beetle Convertible and the 2013 Porsche Cayman stood out for opposite reasons. The Beetle was extremely popular with attendees who waited in a long line to sit in it. The retro colors and the sportier styling of the second generation new Beetle complimented the convertible’s profile with the top up or down. On the other hand, the new Porsche Cayman’s doors were locked and it sat alone in a corner of the Porsche hall while attendees paid more attention to the previously unveiled 911 Carrera. This was possibly due to the Cayman’s familiar styling, which Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson would call a near photocopy of the last model, or possibly it was due to Porsche’s own preference for the 911. Nevertheless, slow sales of the new Cayman would be cancelled out by the quick sales of the new Beetle, since both cars are Volkswagen Group products.
As for next year, there are likely to be even more manufacturers present thanks to the recent rebound in U.S. auto sales. Auto shows are a great way to spend a day and to turn children into car guys and car girls. Some car companies plan further into the future than others.
For more information on this or next year’s LA Auto Show, go to laautoshow.com.
Intern Frank Gonzales is driven. Contact him at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 20-27, 2012.