2006 Los Angeles Auto Show #2 – We’ll Be There!
- November 20, 2006
- The Car Biz
- Posted by George Peterson
- Comments Off on 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show #2 – We’ll Be There!
Los Angeles’ annual auto show moves from January to early December this year, resulting in two auto shows at the Staples Center during 2006. The show had been held in January each year, about the same time as Detroit’s North American International Auto Show. Moving the dates, organizers hope, will take the show out from the shadow of Detroit.
With the tagline “A New Beginning,” the organizers promise eighteen production and concept world debuts as well as twelve North American vehicle debuts. VehicleVoice.com and AutoPacific staff will be there to keep you in the know on these introductions and how they may impact the automotive landscape.
For now, here’s just a taste of what we are looking forward to.
California is Home to Droptop Introductions
Whether or not it reflects reality, Los Angeles has the image of driving top down along Pacific Coast Highway. It is no surprise, then, that three convertibles are due at the Los Angeles show, from the mainstream Chrysler Sebring to the sporty Audi TT Roadster to the exclusive Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster.
Concepts Galore
Among the makers showing off their take on the future will be Ford, Acura, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia. Though the Chevrolet Sequel got a low-key reveal in San Diego this fall, we expect that to be on the Chevrolet stand as well.
Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Hybrids and Hydrogen Options Stand Out
Should the Sequel be shown as anticipated, it will be just one of several vehicles exploring alternative fuels beyond gasoline-hybrid and ethanol solutions. BMW has long been working on a hydrogen fuel cell 7-Series, and has kept the public informed at various auto shows along the way. Unlike prior versions show, the hydrogen 7-Series this time is a production version and will be sold in limited volumes.
GM’s stand is expected to be the home for both hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles, with speculation on a system that relies more heavily on electric power than on the gasoline engine, as the case with most hybrids.
Nissan’s Altima hybrid, though formally revealed at the Orange County Auto Show, is likely to get some fanfare in LA as well.
Honda already offers hybrid versions of the Civic and the Accord, as well as a natural gas Civic. But they’ve also had a development fuel-cell vehicle on the roads for evaluation for several years. Honda has promised two concepts in L.A., and one may be a sedan version of the FCX fuel-cell car.
On the diesel front, Mercedes is expected to announce a deal with California to hasten availability of their Bluetec diesels in that state.
SUVs and Crossover SUVs Still Strong
Among the SUVs expected in LA are the next generation Saturn Vue and Ford Escape, as well as the new BMW X5. Buick’s production Enclave sees the light in LA, and North American buyers are expected to get their first look at the Land Rover LR2. Among the rumored reveals is Volkswagen’s small SUV, the Tiguan, though that could yet be held for a Detroit reveal in January.
