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| The Lamborghini Reventon (top), a $1.4 million car made mostly of carbon fiber, and the MINI Cooper Clubman, a tiny take on the station wagon, are some of the more than 40 debuts set to be unveiled at this week's L.A. Auto Show. |
The 2007 L.A. Auto Show Hopes to Make Detroit's Annual Convention Eat Its Dust
by Evan George
For the second consecutive year, the L.A. Auto Show is coming to the Los Angeles Convention Center earlier than before, and lasting longer, in an attempt to surpass the nation's largest car convention held every winter in the Motor City.
Starting Friday, Nov. 16, and running through Thanksgiving day, the L.A. Auto Show is now the first major North American event of the auto show season. Yes, there is an auto show season.
But if anything steals Detroit's thunder, it could be the world premieres planned for the Convention Center floor. Manufacturers intend to unveil more than 40 vehicles, everything from speedometer-busting racers to luxury models to gas-saving green machines. And in an industry where newer, better and faster are the main attractions, these appearances lure consumers.
Convention officials expect about 1 million visitors over the 10-day period. Unlike many major Downtown Los Angeles conventions, it attracts mostly local attendees, which means fewer hotel room stays and a smaller overall economic impact for an event its size.
Still, the show is seen as crucial for generating industry buzz and consumer excitement, organizers say. This year, more than 1,000 vehicles will be on display.
Some of the more outrageous new cars have only very recently been shown at the international convergences like Tokyo's famed car expo, according to the L.A. show's organizers.
"A lot of the debuts were just unveiled, so they will literally put them on a plane and fly some of these vehicles in," said Brendan Flynn, director of communications for the L.A. Auto Show. "They're bringing them in from all over the world."
Sporty models with names like Spiker and Lotus will stand beside household brands from Hyundai, BMW and Nissan. Volkswagen and Subaru are among the carmakers who will also present new designs.
One major auto dealer who helps run the convention said a surprising number of visitors come looking to buy the high-end luxury and "exotic" cars.
"It boosts inquiries, that's for sure," said Jon Boardman, sales manager for Beverly Hills-based O'Gara Coach Company, the largest Rolls Royce and Bentley dealer in the world. Boardman said a dozen of his employees will staff exhibits and answer questions.
Although horsepower is an obvious highlight, another trend this year is the idea that less is best, in both car size and the amount of gas guzzled. In fact, more than a dozen hybrid models will be on hand, as well as other low-emission, high-mileage standouts.
"In all shapes and sizes, it's no longer just the Prius," Flynn said.
Past and Future
First held 100 years ago at Morley's Skating Rink in Downtown Los Angeles on Grand Avenue, the L.A. Auto Show was the first on the West Coast and the largest such gathering west of Chicago.
Its history signals the city's long love affair with the automobile.
"In 1907, when the [Los Angeles] auto show started, they had an automobile for every eight people when most major cities had one for every 100. Los Angeles has been a major car town since before they established traffic laws," said Flynn. "That's part of the reason why we get some of the largest consumer attention of any show."
Since its inception, the show has outgrown other venues. Despite the momentum, the event's organizers hit a speed bump when the event, which for years was staged in January, began dueling with the North American International Auto Show, which takes place that month in Detroit. Thus, in 2006, L.A. shifted its car convention to November.
The move has benefited the local market, said Boardman.
"Detroit is still the biggest one according to the manufacturers, but in L.A. we're the car capital of America," said Boardman. "We can pretty much make or break a franchise."
Asked what might bring the Downtown locals, Flynn said he thinks the extensive variety of very small cars, or minis, will appeal to Downtown residents looking to downsize their vehicles. He noted that some cities even let people park their cars in all directions - perpendicular to the curb as well as parallel. That's a frequent sight in Europe with the Smart car.
"If it's not allowed Downtown, they'll have to lobby for it and then buy a Smart car," he said.
The L.A. Auto Show runs Nov. 16-25 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St. More information at laautoshow.com.
Contact Evan George at evan@downtownnews.com.
page 7, 11/12/2007
© Los Angeles Downtown News. Reprinting items retrieved from the archives are for personal use only. They may not be reproduced or retransmitted without permission of the Los Angeles Downtown News. If you would like to re-distribute anything from the Los Angeles Downtown News Archives, please call our permissions department at (213) 481-1448.
Starting Friday, Nov. 16, and running through Thanksgiving day, the L.A. Auto Show is now the first major North American event of the auto show season. Yes, there is an auto show season.
But if anything steals Detroit's thunder, it could be the world premieres planned for the Convention Center floor. Manufacturers intend to unveil more than 40 vehicles, everything from speedometer-busting racers to luxury models to gas-saving green machines. And in an industry where newer, better and faster are the main attractions, these appearances lure consumers.
Convention officials expect about 1 million visitors over the 10-day period. Unlike many major Downtown Los Angeles conventions, it attracts mostly local attendees, which means fewer hotel room stays and a smaller overall economic impact for an event its size.
Still, the show is seen as crucial for generating industry buzz and consumer excitement, organizers say. This year, more than 1,000 vehicles will be on display.
Some of the more outrageous new cars have only very recently been shown at the international convergences like Tokyo's famed car expo, according to the L.A. show's organizers.
"A lot of the debuts were just unveiled, so they will literally put them on a plane and fly some of these vehicles in," said Brendan Flynn, director of communications for the L.A. Auto Show. "They're bringing them in from all over the world."
Sporty models with names like Spiker and Lotus will stand beside household brands from Hyundai, BMW and Nissan. Volkswagen and Subaru are among the carmakers who will also present new designs.
One major auto dealer who helps run the convention said a surprising number of visitors come looking to buy the high-end luxury and "exotic" cars.
"It boosts inquiries, that's for sure," said Jon Boardman, sales manager for Beverly Hills-based O'Gara Coach Company, the largest Rolls Royce and Bentley dealer in the world. Boardman said a dozen of his employees will staff exhibits and answer questions.
Although horsepower is an obvious highlight, another trend this year is the idea that less is best, in both car size and the amount of gas guzzled. In fact, more than a dozen hybrid models will be on hand, as well as other low-emission, high-mileage standouts.
"In all shapes and sizes, it's no longer just the Prius," Flynn said.
First held 100 years ago at Morley's Skating Rink in Downtown Los Angeles on Grand Avenue, the L.A. Auto Show was the first on the West Coast and the largest such gathering west of Chicago.
Its history signals the city's long love affair with the automobile.
"In 1907, when the [Los Angeles] auto show started, they had an automobile for every eight people when most major cities had one for every 100. Los Angeles has been a major car town since before they established traffic laws," said Flynn. "That's part of the reason why we get some of the largest consumer attention of any show."
Since its inception, the show has outgrown other venues. Despite the momentum, the event's organizers hit a speed bump when the event, which for years was staged in January, began dueling with the North American International Auto Show, which takes place that month in Detroit. Thus, in 2006, L.A. shifted its car convention to November.
The move has benefited the local market, said Boardman.
"Detroit is still the biggest one according to the manufacturers, but in L.A. we're the car capital of America," said Boardman. "We can pretty much make or break a franchise."
Asked what might bring the Downtown locals, Flynn said he thinks the extensive variety of very small cars, or minis, will appeal to Downtown residents looking to downsize their vehicles. He noted that some cities even let people park their cars in all directions - perpendicular to the curb as well as parallel. That's a frequent sight in Europe with the Smart car.
"If it's not allowed Downtown, they'll have to lobby for it and then buy a Smart car," he said.
The L.A. Auto Show runs Nov. 16-25 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St. More information at laautoshow.com.
Contact Evan George at evan@downtownnews.com.
page 7, 11/12/2007
© Los Angeles Downtown News. Reprinting items retrieved from the archives are for personal use only. They may not be reproduced or retransmitted without permission of the Los Angeles Downtown News. If you would like to re-distribute anything from the Los Angeles Downtown News Archives, please call our permissions department at (213) 481-1448.
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