LA Auto Show Reporter Winter 2010

Record Number of Debuts and Largest
Press Days Attendance

Land Rover hosts the World Premiere of the 5-door Range Rover Evoque

Photo source: Convention Photo
Land Rover hosts the World Premiere of the 5-door Range Rover Evoque with help from fashion journalist and television personality Louise Roe.
With a final count of 30 world and 25 North American debuts, the 2010 LA Auto Show was the most newsworthy in the show’s history. Press days were also the best attended ever—up more than 25 percent.
  • A record 25 manufacturer press conferences
  • Print, broadcast and online coverage reach new levels
  • Significant increase in international media coverage
“In the 20 years that I have attended the show, I have never seen a larger audience during the media preview days… the international media that flew into the City of Angels arrived in larger numbers then ever.”

– Henny Hemmes
The Detroit Bureau
“The Los Angeles Auto Show opens to the media today with more vehicle premieres than in past years, including many from Detroit’s Big Three — signs of an improving industry and growing stature for the West Coast event.”

– Alisa Priddle
The Detroit News
Click here for a photo gallery from a few of the 25 press conferences on Nov. 17 & 18.

Auto Makers Debut Vehicles with Help from Hollywood Elite

Hyundai debuts its Elantra at the historic Hotel Figueroa in Downtown LA

Hyundai debuts its Elantra at the historic Hotel Figueroa in Downtown LA.
LA and its celebrity residents helped the automakers debut vehicles at nearly a dozen VIP evening events throughout the city.
  • Jeff Bridges rocked the house with musician T-Bone Burnett to launch the Hyundai Elantra.
  • The Baldwin brothers, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, plus others helped usher in a new era for Lotus.
  • Jay Leno, Will Arnett and Smokey Robinson celebrated GM’s 10th anniversary of its North Hollywood Advanced Design Center.
Click here for a photo gallery of evening events.

Modern Electric Car Era Begins in LA

The Chevrolet Volt wins 2011 Green Car of the Year

Photo source: Convention Photo
The Chevrolet Volt wins 2011 Green Car of the Year®.
News of the highly-anticipated arrival of the modern electric car era made LA a focal point for important green news.
  • More than 15 electric cars debuted in LA, including world premieres of the Honda Fit EV, Toyota RAV 4 EV and Mitsubishi i-car.
  • Chevy Volt is the first electric drive car to win the title of Green Car of the Year®.
  • City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa outlined details for making LA the plug-in capital of the world.
  • Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger held a press conference recognizing the auto industry strides in reducing CO2 emissions.
“As the industry rebounds, executives and analysts are taking note of the growing importance of the Los Angeles Show as a stage for green cars.”

– Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times
Click here for a photo gallery of events and press conferences.