LA Auto Show: shiny cars, lost prestige

Curiousity about a single car the prototype runabout presented by Ransom Eli Olds attracted paying customers in at the first automotive show It was held in Madison Square Garden in New York the iconic indoor arena in downtown Manhattan Attendees paid cents Before the Los Angeles and Detroit shows arrived seven years later Olds Motor Car Company of Lansing Mich built Oldsmobiles making it the nation s first automaker to produce cars in volume Despite interruptions by wars and affection the auto show tradition grew Manufacturers began showcasing vehicles directly to consumers a stress-free alternative to the once more prominent aggressive salesmanship at dealerships The first LA Auto Show featured vehicles on an ice-skating rink It grew organizers tout to more than cars and trucks and industry displays But at the lately concluded edition which ended its -day run Nov the legacy of auto shows appeared further diminished COVID- s lingering effects and the United Auto Workers strike impacted a multitude of industries including automotive The LA Auto Show was cancelled in and rescheduled twice The show in the end returned in November bringing renewed enthusiasm Since then budget cuts have led several mainstay manufacturers to miss subsequent shows This year the Los Angeles Convention Center halls once lively with rotating platforms and expansive lineups looked and felt underwhelming Audi BMW and Mercedes-Benz did not attend Porsche once in its own small hall occupied a smaller open space with fewer vehicles Indoor driving tracks filled-in areas once occupied by carmakers full lineups General Motors placed Buick Cadillac and GMC pickup trucks from a local dealership in a poorly planned poorly lit corner near the main entrance Automotive spokesperson-ambassadors known as the Sirens of Chrome were also mostly absent While the tradition especially notable in the entertainment-focused Los Angeles area may no longer be socially acceptable it once helped define the show Ironically a series of photos of women in tight-fitting attire posing suggestively on cars to promote an automotive computer accessory hung in a convention center breezeway Model global debuts once frequent in Los Angeles are now infrequent Concept vehicles formerly key event highlights are also less common Since the LA Auto Show has included AutoMobility an industry and media event before the constituents show It was reduced from two days to one and this year s initiative spotlighted niche areas such as zero-emissions and next-generation AI Just now multiple manufacturers have prioritized off-site invite-only events Despite the changes impressive vehicles remained on display with strong showings from Ford Honda Hyundai Kia and others Subaru returned with its long-running interactive dog adoption undertaking amid its new vehicles Rivian in its fifth year showcased a stealth camper tent and a two-burner induction cooktop for its new pickups And then there was Honda It debuted the Afeela a high-tech all-electric sedan developed by Sony Honda Mobility in Beverly Hills The sensor-overloaded carriage s California-only distribution is projected for mid- But even Honda a legacy LA Auto Show participant had issues With its United States headquarters in nearby Torrance the carmaker had a full lineup on display at the convention center Several constituents relations representatives also attended the reception highlighting the Afeela They had plenty to promote about the two-trim conveyance with a top-line MSRP of But a disc jockey played bass-heavy music too loudly often muddling Honda presenters efforts to discuss the new truck s purpose and future Without the overbearing music the same question faces LA Auto Show organizers James Raia a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento also contributes business lifestyle and sports content to several print and online publications E-mail james jamesraia com