{"id":31709,"date":"2023-11-17T15:56:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T19:56:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=31709"},"modified":"2023-11-17T15:56:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T19:56:06","slug":"la-auto-show-preview-evs-asian-debuts-and-celebs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/la-auto-show-preview-evs-asian-debuts-and-celebs","title":{"rendered":"LA Auto Show preview: EVs, Asian debuts, and celebs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Los Angeles<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 As automakers in the new media age have staged exclusive vehicle premieres and remote media launches, auto shows have taken a back seat. From New York to Detroit to Los Angeles, shows are focusing on their core, regional audiences and ramping up the non-automaker entertainment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">For this year\u2019s Los Angeles Auto Show, that means a focus on electric cars and celebrities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Set in America\u2019s biggest auto market with California regulators mandating EV sales over the next decade (with federal mandates not far behind), the state\u2019s biggest show is also the most significant on the U.S. automotive calendar. This year\u2019s auto-palooza kicks off with Thursday&#8217;s Media Day before opening to the public Nov. 17-26. Attendees will have the chance to test over a dozen EVs, and the show will \u2014 for the first time \u2014 feature an EV on the stand of every automaker.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/11\/14\/PDTN\/71581720007-la-show-23-hart-kollection.jpg?width=660&amp;height=439&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"Comedian Kevin Hart will display nine of his custom mods at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show.\" width=\"474\" height=\"315\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/11\/14\/PDTN\/71581720007-la-show-23-hart-kollection.jpg?width=660&amp;height=439&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/11\/14\/PDTN\/71581720007-la-show-23-hart-kollection.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=878&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Comedian Kevin Hart will display nine of his custom mods at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"Comedian Kevin Hart will display nine of his custom mods at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show.\" data-c-credit=\"Los Angeles Auto Show, Los Angeles Auto Show\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">To plug consumers in to the growing list of EVs on offer, both April\u2019s New York International Auto Show and Detroit\u2019s event in September dedicated significant floor space to EV rides. LA\u2019s Electric Avenue boasts the show circuit\u2019s biggest EV track \u2014 and, unlike its peers, will allow consumers to get behind the wheel.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-2\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cThis is the country\u2019s volume electric vehicle market,\u201d said David Fortin, vice president of marketing for the LA show, which is put on by Ansa Productions. \u201cCalifornia is the state leading the way with regulations pushing an electric future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The EV push comes as consumer interest has lagged and even the California market \u2014 home to 40% of America\u2019s EV sales \u2014 has been resistant to battery-powered vehicles not named Tesla.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-3\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"2\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cThe LA auto show has historically served as fertile ground for electrified vehicle introductions, but this year&#8217;s show comes at a complex time for EVs,\u201d said Edmunds\u2019 auto analyst Jessica Caldwell. \u201cWhile all-electric market share has risen from 6.0% to 7.5% year-over-year, it has remained relatively stagnant for the past five months due to high interest rates, high prices and lagging interest from consumers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Just as the Detroit show has tried to fill the void where glitzy brand sets used to be with flying airplanes and truck towing, the LA show wants to add a dose of celebrity. \u201cWe understand that we can bring uniqueness to the LA Show by adding some Hollywood flavor,\u201d said Fortin<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/11\/14\/PDTN\/71581599007-la-show-vehicledebut.jpg?width=660&amp;height=440&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"In 2022 Subaru unveiled the new Impreza hatchback at the Los Angeles Auto Show. For 2023, the brand plans another debut.\" width=\"477\" height=\"318\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/11\/14\/PDTN\/71581599007-la-show-vehicledebut.jpg?width=660&amp;height=440&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/11\/14\/PDTN\/71581599007-la-show-vehicledebut.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=880&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"In 2022 Subaru unveiled the new Impreza hatchback at the Los Angeles Auto Show. For 2023, the brand plans another debut.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"In 2022 Subaru unveiled the new Impreza hatchback at the Los Angeles Auto Show. For 2023, the brand plans another debut.\" data-c-credit=\"Los Angeles Auto Show, Los Angeles Auto Show\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">There will be Robert Downey Jr. \u2014 aka, Tony Stark in the hit Marvel movie franchise \u201cIron Man\u201d \u2014 and his eco-modified RDJ Dream Cars collection, six classic cars that have been converted to alternative fuels and battery power that will be on exhibit in the South Hall. The cars\u2019 transformations were documented on a MAX TV series and each will be given away as part of a public sweepstakes. The models include a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette, 1966 Buick Riviera, 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE, 1972 Chevrolet K10 pickup, 1972 Volkswagen Bus and 1985 Chevy El Camino.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\">\n<div class=\"label\" hidden=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"message\">\n<div class=\"title\">Get the\u00a0<span class=\"highlight\">Michigan Politics<\/span>\u00a0newsletter in your inbox.<\/div>\n<p class=\"description\">Washington and Lansing, red and blue, we&#8217;ve got your government covered.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frequency\">Delivery: Daily<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"input-container populated\"><input autocomplete=\"off\" name=\"email\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clickable\"><\/div>\n<p><label>Your Email<\/label><\/div>\n<div id=\"bar\">\n<div class=\"highlight\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-primary\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-secondary\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Popular comedian Kevin Hart will showcase nine custom-built cars from his collection, including a \u201859 Corvette \u201cMint Condition,\u201d 1969 Chevy Camaro \u201cBad News,\u201d 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner \u201cMichael Myers,\u201d 1970 Dodge Charger \u201cHellraiser\u201d and 2023 Ferrari 812 Competizione. Other attractions include the Galpin Hall of Customs featuring customer supercars from Lamborghinis to Ford Raptors, and a promotion for the movie \u201cFerrari,\u201d coming this Christmas to theaters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Hart\u2019s collection will fill the West Hall space where Porsche has traditionally set up in the sprawling, 1-million-square-foot LA Convention Center. Porsche did not commit to the show this year \u2014 citing its huge Rennsport reunion that took place in Monterey this fall \u2014 joining other luxury European makes like Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Alfa Romeo on the sidelines.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-4\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"3\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The West Hall vacancy is a victim of Stellantis\u2019s late pullout due to the prolonged UAW contract negotiations. That has left a big hole in the West Hall \u2014 where Dodge, Ram, Jeep and Chrysler traditionally display \u2014 that Fortin said the show has been creative in filling. Part of that Jeep experience will be plugged by the Overland Outpost, presented by enthusiast magazine OVR, \u00a0which will showcase over 30 off-road vehicles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Two of Detroit\u2019s other major brands, Chevrolet and Ford, will have a large floor presence, including Ford\u2019s Off-Rodeo display where consumers can take Bronco rides. Ford is also expected to show off the 2024 Mustang GT California Special for the first time in public.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/11\/14\/PDTN\/71581592007-la-show-kiaevtesttrack.jpg?width=640&amp;height=427&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The Kia EV6 will be among the battery-powered cars available to drive on the Los Angeles Auto Show's Electric Avenue.\" width=\"429\" height=\"286\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The Kia EV6 will be among the battery-powered cars available to drive on the Los Angeles Auto Show's Electric Avenue.\" data-c-credit=\"Los Angeles Auto Show, Los Angeles Auto Show\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Both Chevy (#5) and Ford (#3) are in the Top Ten best-selling brands in the Golden State, but six of the top sellers are Asian brands and they will make the bulk of the product news here (Tesla and Mercedes are ranked \u00a0#2 and #7, respectively in California sales, but neither do auto shows any more).<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Toyota is expected to make a big splash with a new Camry sedan and Crown SUV. The Crown sedan debuted in the U.S. market for the 2023 model year, and the SUV broadens the sub-brand\u2019s portfolio.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-5\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"4\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Other notables to look for include Hyundai\u2019s radically-redesigned Santa Fe SUV \u2014 the latest in a series of head-turning vehicles from the ambitious Korean brand \u2014 and a redesigned Subaru and Nissan Rogue.Ironically, all these debuts are gas-powered in a show that will otherwise be green-focused. Lucid is expected to carry the EV headlines with the introduction of its Gravity SUV, the second vehicle in the brand\u2019s portfolio after the sleek Air sedan. There will also be debuts from non-traditional manufacturers like hydrogen fuel cell truck-maker Nikola, electric superbike builder Verge and Pebble EV travel trailers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In addition to EVs on stands, the convention center\u2019s lots will be transformed into the mile-long Electric Avenue loops circling the center\u2019s South Hall.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Combine the inside activations and the test track outside, and electric models available for rides include the Chevy Blazer EV, Chevy Silverado EV pickup, Kia EV6, Ford F-150 Lightning, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Mazda MX-30, Polestar 2, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo XC40 Recharge, Porsche Taycan, Lucid\u00a0 Air and Cadillac Lyriq.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cThe biggest barrier to entry in electric vehicles is experience behind the wheel,\u201d sad Fortin. Complementing the rides, Fortin and his team have constructed the EV Discovery Center, where bilingual EV ambassadors are on hand to educate consumers.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-6\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"5\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cWe understand where the passions of our California customers are,\u201d said Fortin \u201cTheir passions are in green tech, off-road, on the beaches, and on the race track.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Los Angeles\u00a0\u2014 As automakers in the new media age have staged exclusive vehicle premieres and remote media launches, auto shows have taken a back seat. From New York to Detroit to Los Angeles, shows are focusing on their core, regional audiences and ramping up the non-automaker entertainment. For this year\u2019s Los Angeles Auto Show, that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31709"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31709"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31709\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31710,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31709\/revisions\/31710"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31709"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31709"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31709"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}