Automobility Los Angeles Showcases New Cars, Trucks, SUVs

Porsche 953 will take part in next year's Dakar Raid
Toyota's newest Prius is sleek - it was the first hybrid, but is it still the modern car people want?
Toyota’s newest Prius is sleek – it was the first hybrid, but is it still the modern car people want?

Are auto shows still a viable way to make a choice on mobility? Automobility Los Angeles, which used to be simply named the LA Auto Show believes manufacturers can still get the kind of public interest necessary to sway drivers to the right vehicle by allowing them to showcase – and even allow potential buyers to drive – cars, trucks and SUVs on offer in the area.

Future mobility is a big attraction at this show, because even though one might not be in the market to purchase today, tomorrow or even next year, many whose vehicles are beginning to age need to make wise choices based on what’s on offer now and what could be in the marketplace two, three or even five years down the road.

NASCAR took over a hallway to showcase its two trips to Los Angeles in early 2023
NASCAR took over a hallway to showcase its two trips to Los Angeles in early 2023

There’s been a trend for manufacturers to do small exhibits away from the show floors and that held true for this 2022 edition of Automobility LA. And many manufacturers simply decided it wasn’t important enough to spend money on floor space, together with all the accoutrements necessary to bring a great display to fruition. 

Three of the big German car manufacturers demurred and didn’t display: there were no Mercedes-Benz exhibits, no BMW (and by extension, MINI) and no Audi on the show floor. But keeping with its tradition at this show, Porsche took over a separate hall all its own and showed both road-going and race cars and SUVs, some of which will be at a racetrack near you during this upcoming 2023 season.

Subaru's 2024 Impreza hatch was revealed in an inside rainstorm
Subaru’s 2024 Impreza hatch was revealed in an inside rainstorm

There were enthusiastic major manufacturers on-site for this show, which runs from Friday, November 18 through Sunday, November 27. Subaru took up much of the West Hall, leaving the remainder for Ford and Stellantis, the latter accenting its Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM models. This hall had two test tracks, one for Ford, the other for RAM trucks to highlight both manufacturers’ off-road capabilities. 

The South Hall saw a massive display from Toyota, who introduced their newest generation of Prius for this show and also had large motorsports displays and a turntable for the latest Crown sedan. The all-new 2023 Toyota Prius uses a fifth-generation hybrid powertrain with up to 196 horsepower, with combined efficiency of 57mpg. Toyota continues to put its faith in hybrid vehicles, despite its foray into hydrogen (Mirai sedan). The original Prius debuted in 2001; its latest offering is probably the most handsome yet, with flowing, single-motion design.

As in the West Hall, there were a pair of test tracks in the South Hall, for Nissan and Hyundai, both showcasing fully electric vehicles, the Ariya for Nissan (who also sponsored a sake tasting for the media) and any number of fully electric Hyundai models from their Ioniq lineup.

 

Vietnam's Vinfast introduced its VF6 and VF7
Vietnam’s Vinfast introduced its VF6 and VF7

Manufacturers using optimal space in the South Hall included Chevrolet, Kia, VW, (we checked out the i.D Buzz bus) Honda, Lexus, Toyota, GMC, Polestar, Vietnam’s Vinfast (with a pair of new electric models that join the VF8 and VF9 shown last November and on sale in 2023’s first quarter), and Galpin, the Los Angeles-area mega-dealer who displayed cars from Lincoln, Mazda and Volvo. Galpin has its own display area in the concourse between West and South halls.

Nissan’s Z is eligible for North American Car of the Year

The floor also showcased the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards nominees, together with the Hispanic Motor Press Awards nominees. There are nine finalists for the North American 2023 awards: Car of the Year highlights the Acura Integra, Genesis G80 EV and Nissan Z, Truck of the Year will go to either the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, Ford F-150 Lightning or Lordstown Endurance, Utility Vehicle candidates are the Cadillac Lyriq, Genesis GV60 and Kia EV6. 

There were introductions of new cars as Subaru premiered its 2024 Impreza, which will now be offered only as a hatchback, and a good-looking one to boot. As first to show a new vehicle on the single media day, Subaru brought in something Los Angeles could definitely use as its 2024 Impreza made entry: rain. Theirs was a dazzling display of political correctness, and yes, there were dogs available to adopt next to the display.

Hyundai showcased its 74 concept along with the Ioniq6 sedan
Hyundai showcased its 74 concept along with the Ioniq6 sedan

Hyundai introduced its handsome, new Ioniq6 sedan, one that has visual cues different from most all-electric sedans. Ioniq, if you recall, was first shown as a possible self-driving car. While Hyundai is still working on that technology, it’s put most of its eggs in the all-electric basket, although it still does offer hybrids, plug-in hybrids and vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE). 

Hyundai hearkened to its legacy in this business, producing the “74” that resembles the Pony car which debuted in 1974 and influenced Malcolm Bricklin. Back to the Future? Well, this one is all electric, of course, and a very handsome linear design. The 74 is being shown as a concept vehicle but could easily end up having future design cues for the South Korean manufacturer.

 

Fiat’s B.500 MAI TROPPO 500e concept from Bvlgari was exciting inside and out

Stellantis’ Fiat is bringing back its 500e entry level coupe, a wee bit larger, definitely more striking stylistically and offering more range from its electric/battery model. The newest 500e will set foot in the US in 2024, and the production model will be shown at next year’s AutomobilityLA show. The trio of 500e models showcased in 2022 are concepts, designed by Armani, Kartell and Bvlgari. The latter’s gem-like bright orange vehicle is a tribute to innovation from the jeweler, with vivid color combinations and materials. It took the nomenclature B.500 MAI TROPPO, which means never too much.

During this show, Stellantis is teasing its latest Alfa Romeo, the Volante, which is a hybrid sport utility model. The Volante on display is a European model, so it couldn’t be opened completely, but it’s as handsome as one would expect from Alfa. The corporation is also offering an interactive view to those who can’t get to Los Angeles to see the variety of company offerings, with a site that is open throughout the show, where visitors can register in a sweepstakes for a chance to win a credit of up to $100,000 toward the purchase of a new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Ram or Fiat vehicle:  http://stellantisvaslosangeles.com. 

Genesis showed off its G90 sedan, newly named Motor Trend Car of the Year for 2023, trotting out a convertible version, while Kia introduced the all-electric EV6, a finalist for North American Utility of the Year. It also showcased the updated Seltos, which has new design cues, better performance, uprated tech and a bold, new blue color. 

 

The Indy Autonomous Challenge held a recent event at Texas Motor Speedway - in 45-degree temps!
The Indy Autonomous Challenge held a recent event at Texas Motor Speedway – in 45-degree temps!

Start-ups showed their wares, as well, with the emphasis on electric charging on the road and at home. Blink home charging, Charge Cars, ElectraMeccanica, EVgo, INDI EV and the Indy Autonomous Challenge were showcased inside, while the breezeway between the two halls saw 27North’s huge RV. In the South Hall atrium were Jeep’s display of its Grand Wagoner, Hyundai’s Interactive display with plenty of N motorsports activity, a large NASCAR display, one from Trans Am Worldwide and Volkswagen. Hyperion, which is planning to build an electric/hydrogen supercar, had a display inside the South Hall.

Outside on the plaza, show-goers can test EVs from a variety of manufacturers, thanks to sponsorship from Electrify America. There were plenty of vehicles available to be tested on the oval track in Gilbert Lindsay Plaza. 

It remains to be seen whether the new AutomobilityLA will bring crowds to downtown Los Angeles. LA is a driver’s city and everyone is looking for the best car, truck or SUV available. If choice is king, this show has it.

About Anne Proffit 1237 Articles
Anne Proffit traces her love of racing - in particular drag racing - to her childhood days in Philadelphia, where Atco Dragway, Englishtown and Maple Grove Raceway were destinations just made for her. As a diversion, she was the first editor of IMSA’s Arrow newsletter, and now writes about and photographs sports cars, Indy cars, Formula 1, MotoGP, NASCAR, Formula Drift, Red Bull Global Rallycross - in addition to her first love of NHRA drag racing. A specialty is a particular admiration for the people that build and tune drag racing engines.

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