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Friday, 20 December, 2013 6:14 PM
REVIEW:
My Final Wrap-Up of the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show
970,312
people attended the public show days; up more than 100,000 from
last year
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
Honda Accord won the 2014 Green Car of the Year award at the
Los Angeles Auto Show.
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LOS
ANGELES -- I really enjoyed this year's press preview of
the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. When Senior Communications Director
Brendan Flynn told me the organizers changed everything, I didn't
know what to expect. I would like to give the entire L.A. Auto Show
team a high five for an outstanding job.
First,
I liked how virtually every square inch of the convention center
was used to display vehicles. There were cars in places I never
thought a car could fit. For example, classic cars from Barrett-Jackson
were located in the hallway between the two halls, outside of the
Concourse Hall. VIA Motors showed off their plug-in electric trucks
and SUVs in the lower level of the South Hall on the way to the
Aftermarket Hall. The Connected Car Expo was a nice addition to
the South Hall lobby with booths from OnStar, Hertz NeverLost, Qualcomm,
Sprint, Verizon and many more.
Second,
I liked how all of the press conferences were grouped--the first
half of the day in the South Hall, with the rest in the West Hall.
Then, the afternoon ones were all in the South Hall. In previous
years, their would be one in the South Hall then another in the
West Hall and so forth. It made it very hard to cover all of them
at once. You needed to have two or three crews to get them all.
In addition, the media center moved from Room 403 (8,528 sq. ft.)
to the much larger Room 515 (11,220 sq. ft.).
Finally,
I enjoyed all of the new parties that were offered for the media.
It all began with a press day kick-off party featuring a live performance
by the band Bronze Radio Return and the AOL Technology of the Year
finalists. Then, Wednesday began with the first-ever Motor Press
Guild Motoring Invitational with lots of celebrities, their classic
cars and gourmet food trucks. Thursday kicked off with the Auto
Alliance Breakfast and the Green Car of the Year presentation in
the South Hall lobby. Chevrolet sponsored the lunch at noon that
day. Finally, the second press day wrapped up with the all-new Aftermarket
NewsCruise & Reception inside Kentia Hall. It was a great way
for the auto show to say thanks to all of the media who flew in
from all over the world.
Disappointments?
Not too many, but there were a few. I was looking forward to seeing
Toyota's new fuel cell vehicle. However, there was only one prototype
built and it was shown in Tokyo, where the auto show was taking
place at the exact same time. The automaker used its press conference
to talk about teen driving safety instead. Alfa Romeo was rumored
to be holding a press conference, but that never happened. As a
matter of fact, none of the Chrysler brands held press conferences
at the show. While many were expecting to see the 2015 MINI Cooper,
it was the 2014 model that was on display.
Preliminary
attendance figures show that 970,312 people attended the 2013 L.A.
Auto Show public days, according to a slideshow presentation released
by organizers. That is up by more than 100,000 from last year's
count of 865,000 consumers. In addition, 16,089 members of the media
attended the three press days (Nov. 19-21). Press attendance is
also higher than last year by 3,500 credentialed journalists.
AmericaJR.com
was proud to be able to hold a contest drawing for 10 winners who
each received a pair of tickets to the public show days of the 2013
Los Angeles Auto Show. Our winners were: Michael Chee (Burbank,
Calif.); Thomas Nguyen (Walnut, Calif.); Gilbert Gutierrez (West
Covina, Calif.); Stephan Wendel (Studio City, Calif.); Robert Escobar
(Moreno Valley, Calif.); Bob Davis (Los Angeles); Ryan Buffum (Bell
Canyon, Calif.); Candice Montgomery (Reseda, Calif.); Rick Mac Laughlin
(Claremont, Calif.); and Adam Gross (Burbank, Calif.).
I
asked them the following questions about their visit to the auto
show: Was it your first time at this year's auto show? If not, how
many times have you been before? What were your overall thoughts
of this year's show? What did you like? What didn't you like? What
needs to be improved? Did you try out the ride-and-drive outside?
Did the auto show change your perception of American-made vehicles
by GM, Ford and Chrysler? If so, how? Their responses are below:
"I
estimate [I've been] about 9 or 10 times or so," said Stephan
Wendel, an auto show attendee from Studio City, Calif. "I pretty
much go every year if possible. Awesome, I love cars! Most exhibits
were really nicely done--modern and cutting-edge. Mostly for fun
and to see the latest cars.
But also checking out and taking measurements of the all-new 2014
Jeep Cherokee for my mom. I've always loved American cars. But it
is noticeable how the overall build quality of U.S. cars has improved
significantly over the years. Interiors have never been nicer. That's
for sure. Maybe more stuff to do for kids. A nice big play area
would be great."
Candice
Montgomery of Reseda, Calif. added: "No, this was my third
time. It was very enjoyable, I liked seeing the upcoming cars, and
I love seeing the concept cars. I look forward to seeing those,
what designs there will be, what technology they will have. I like
seeing nicely designed displays, how the cars are presented. I actually
wish the show was a week longer. I've had positive opinions about
American made cars for some time."
"No,
it was not my first time to the L.A. Auto Show," said Michael
Chee from Burbank, Calif. "As a longtime Southern Californian
resident, I'd have to say I've been to the Show about 10 to 12 times.
Overall, I thought it was a good show. The aftermarket displays
in Kentia Hall seemed to dwindle down a bit compared to past years.
And Al & Ed's seemed to have stopped giving away car calendars.
Liked playing for a prize (another grocery bag) from State Farm.
I still have the plastic pen/pencil holder from a show years ago
when VW made these on the spot for show visitors. That was really
cool. The current show's Scion paper car models are nice, as they
seem to have expanded their lineup. Since I'm partial to the Japanese
nameplates, I was kind of disappointed that Lexus did not show the
concept vehicle, LF-NX hybrid compact SUV, at this show. Of all
places, you would think they'd show that particular concept vehicle
in SoCal, home of many hybrids and SUV's! No, the Show did not change
my opinion of the American makes. I would give them some consideration,
but that would be based more on Consumer Reports' ratings and the
input of subscribers and owners of these vehicles. Chevy is to be
commended for the Chevy Volt and Ford needs to make their cars more
reliable. Chrysler used to be king of auto engineering years ago
when I was growing up."
Rick Mac
Laughlin of Claremont, Calif. added: "Yes, it was our first
time at the L.A. car show. A great experience to have so many brands
of cars in one location. I liked the layout and all of the displays.
Yes, the American made cars offer options that our high end foreign
cars have."
"I've
been here a total of 10 times in the past 12 years," said Robert
Escobar from Moreno Valley, Calif. "A lot more interactive
activities and better test drive venues. The test drive routes go
into very congested areas. However, I believe debut vehicles should
have a more presentable stages or even elevated. I am a car enthusiast,
so I came to the show for fun and to sit inside vehicles without
the pressure of salesmen. It changed my perception of Ford and how
they are focusing on fun, enjoyable products for the market. GM
and Chrysler are still typical, boring American cars."
We'll
see you at next year's 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, which is scheduled
for November 21 - 30.
Related
Stories: PREVIEW:
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf and 2015 MINI Cooper make up two of 50-plus
debuts coming to 2013 L.A. Auto Show; All-New
2015 Lincoln MKC provides Fresh Choice for Small Premium Utility
customers; New
2014 Fiat 500 “1957 Edition” Highlights 57 Years of
the Legendary Icon; Ford
debuts the Edge Concept at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show; Honda
shows off FCEV Concept at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show; Toyota
discusses teen driving safety at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show;
Honda
Accord wins 2014 Green Car of the Year Award at L.A. Auto Show;
Hyundai
introduces Tucson FCEV and Veloster Turbo R Spec at 2013 L.A. Auto
Show; Infiniti
reveals the Q30 Concept at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show; Volvo
debuts the 2015 V60 sportswagon at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show;
Chevrolet
shows off the 2015 Colorado midsize pickup truck at 2013 L.A. Auto
Show; KIA
enters the luxury sedan market with introduction of the 2015 K900
at L.A. Auto Show; 2014
MINI Cooper hardtop introduced at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show;
2014
Jeep Cherokee replaces the Liberty in the automaker's line-up;
First
drive of the 2015 BMW i3 electric sedan at 2013 Los Angeles Auto
Show
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PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Toyota
used its press conference to discuss teen driving safety. Most of
the media was expecting to see the automaker's new fuel cell vehicle.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Chevrolet
brought back its Colorado midsize pickup truck. It was
called a "linchpin" for the brand.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Mercedes-Benz
showed off its Vision Gran Turismo concept in support
of the new "Gran Turismo 6" video game. It
has no engine under the hood.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
2014 MINI Cooper S made its debut in L.A. Most of the
media were looking to see the 2015 model.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Barrett-Jackson
showed off this 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport
Touring Berlinetta. It will be sold at an auction
Jan. 12-19, 2014 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
One
of my favorite cars at this year's L.A. Auto Show
was "The Voice" special edition of the
Kia Soul.
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