Expect the production version of the Infiniti QX30 to make its formal debut in L.A. next month.
The 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show is shaping up to be a big event, with at least 50 new products set to make their U.S. or global debuts during the two-day media preview.
The LA show also expects to put a premium on technology, with a third day devoted specifically to new connected car technology. And the annual “Green Car of the Year” will be unveiled, as well, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Porsche, Buick, Ford, Range Rover, Nissan, Infiniti and Jaguar are among the manufacturers who’ve already scheduled more than 30 separate product unveilings during the annual media preview. Volvo, Hyundai and a variety of industry suppliers will also hold news conferences to discuss technology breakthroughs.
The LA Auto Show has been gaining momentum over the last several years, likely a reflection of the upturn in the global auto industry following a devastating recession. Many manufacturers delayed product development programs during the downturn and are now trying to speed up their R&D efforts.
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT.
Automakers, in general, are engaged in unprecedented levels of product proliferation as they race to fill so-called “white space” before their competitors do. High-line marques have been moving down-market, even as mainstream brands try to push upscale. And a wide range of new, alternative-power products are being introduced to meet new emissions and fuel economy regulations.
The LA show is the third major act in the global automotive road show, and will follow last month’s Frankfurt Motor Show and the Tokyo Motor Show scheduled to get underway next week.
While a number of players are keeping their cards close to vest, quite a few brands have already confirmed what they’ll be bringing to the City of Angels. Among the key global debuts:
- Buick will unveil a new version of the LaCrosse sedan;
- Infiniti will go downsize with the QX30 crossover;
- Land Rover will roll back the canvas on the Range Rover Evoq Convertible;
- Mitsubishi will debut both the 2016 Outlander Sport and 2017 Mirage;
- Nissan will bring out the 2016 Sentra redesign;
- Porsche will reveal the Cayman GT4 Clubsport racer;
- Scion will show off a new concept vehicle expected to be its first SUV;
Jaguar's F-Pace could be the first of several utility vehicles the maker eventually may offer.
(Range Rover Evoq Convertible caught in testing. Click Here for more.)
LA media and public showgoers will also see the U.S. debut of vehicles first revealed overseas. These include:
- The new Hyundai Elantra;
- Jaguar’s first-ever SUV, the F-Pace;
- The new Kia Sportage;
Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW and Mini also will stage North American debuts.
Meanwhile, Fiat, Ford Motor Company, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Volvo and Volkswagen add to the list of manufacturers expected to stage debuts in Los Angeles. Among this group, the oddsmakers anticipate Fiat will show its version of the two-seat sports car it developed in a joint venture with Mazda and based off the new Miata platform.
(Click Here for more on the new Fiat 124 Spider.)
The ragtop Evoque will make its official debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.
And there could yet be others before the calendar is finalized. Elio Motors is one of the niche players that has confirmed a spot on the news conference schedule, with plans to debut the production version of its 3-wheel hyper-miler.
Few would be surprised to see a return by designer and entrepreneur Henrik Fisker. He unveiled the new Fisker Rocket developed in partnership with Los Angeles mega-dealer Galpin Motors at the show last year. A convertible version of the modified Ford Mustang was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours in August and will likely be displayed in Los Angeles, as well.
The show kicks off on November 17th, with the third annual Connected Car Expo, an event focusing on the new technologies transforming the automobile. Expect to hear plenty about autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles this year.
(Scion teases new concept coming to LA. Click Here for the story.)