The new Land Rover Discovery debuted in Paris, and it will make it's North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
This year’s Los Angeles International Auto Show could be Tinseltown’s biggest in years, with more than 50 new vehicle debuts on the docket next month.
Some of those models, like the Land Rover Discovery, will be appearing for the first time in North America, after making earlier appearances abroad. But there’ll be a significant number of all-new models, organizers promise, including Alfa Romeo’s first-ever SUV and the new Honda Civic Si.
In line with California’s focus on clean energy and cutting-edge technologies, the 2016 LAIAS also will launch the new AutoMobility LA event. It’s an expanded version of the Connected Car Expo that has, in recent years, explored developments in areas such as car-sharing and autonomous driving.
“AutoMobility LA is packed with breaking news from automakers, tech leaders and startups, which is a true testament that the new auto industry isn’t coming, but rather, it’s alive and growing in L.A.,” said Lisa Kaz, President and CEO of LA Auto Show and AutoMobility LA.
(Alfa Romeo set to debut new SUV at Los Angeles Auto Show. Click Here for details.)
Green machine: The Smart Fortwo ED Cabriolet made its debut at the Paris Motor Show.
The Los Angeles show has become one of the most significant in the annual auto show season, second only to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit among U.S. events. But L.A. organizers have been able to grab a growing share of debuts by pitching the size of the California car market and, in particular, the power of its Silicon Valley tech community.
That’s drawing more than just new cars, trucks and crossovers to the show’s stages. Companies like BMW ReachNow, Ridecell and WhiteCryption will explore issues like artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, car-sharing and cybersecurity.
That said, the cars will remain the stars, both for the media hordes that will descend on the L.A. Convention Center, and the public crowds to follow.
(Click Here for more about the new Porsche Panamera.)
At least 25 news conferences are already on the schedule, according to show organizers. And while many have yet to reveal what they have in store, a number of others already are lifting the covers a bit.
Some of the most important previews include:
- Alfa Romeo’s first-ever sport-utility vehicle, expected to be named Stelvio, will be at the top of the list. L.A. saw the U.S. debut of Alfa’s Giulia sedan last year;
- The Honda Civic Si, a sporty version of the maker’s ever-popular compact model;
- An all-new version of the Jeep Compass will make its public debut after a limited reveal in Brazil;
- Land Rover will make North American news after first showing the new Discovery in Paris;
- Mercedes-Benz will show three models in the U.S. for the first time, including the AMG GT Roadster, the G550 4×4 Squared and the AMG GT R;
- Nissan also will reveal three versions of the new 2017 Rogue;
- Porsche will have a mix of global and North American debuts, including the newly redesigned Panamera;
- Smart will charge in with the Fortwo Electric Drive;
- And Subaru is promising to reveal a concept vehicle that sets a new direction for the brand.
Other possible introductions could include a spin-off of the Chevrolet Camaro, the Jaguar XKSS Continuation, the latest update of the three-wheeled Elio and perhaps even another, smaller Cadillac crossover-utility vehicle.
(To see more about the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, Click Here.)
We’ll certainly have more news on the L.A. previews to come before the official media days begin on Nov. 14.