Preview: LA Auto Show
For the third year in a row, the Los Angeles Auto Show will be held in the fall. The 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show will feature more than 20 world premieres of production and/or concept vehicles from global automakers during the show's Press Days on Nov. 19 and 20. To date, world debuts are confirmed from Buick, Cadillac, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Lamborghini, Lincoln, Lexus, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan, Porsche and Volkswagen.
Some of the world debuts already confirmed for the 2008 LA Auto Show include Nissan's next generation Z and the highly anticipated redesign of the legendary Ford Mustang. In addition to the record number of world debuts, an expected 16 North American debuts have already been scheduled, including Honda's all-new hybrid vehicle concept, the Insight. Also, Ferrari has confirmed it will show the appropriately-named Ferrari California, its first retractable hardtop convertible.
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In addition to the major debuts, this year's show will highlight the latest "green" auto technology with significant alternative fuel vehicle news. Also, for the fourth year in a row, Green Car Journal will unveil the coveted "Green Car of The Year Award." This award continues to grow in significance as consumer demand for more fuel efficient and environmentally positive vehicles increases exponentially.
The five models are important milestones for their manufacturers. The VW and BMW clean diesels are leading edge models signaling the advent of highly efficient, advanced diesel sedans that meet emissions certification in all 50 states. Ford's Fusion Hybrid, a full hybrid, is this automaker's first hybrid sedan. Saturn's Vue 2-Mode is GM's first application of its two mode hybrid system in a V-6 front-drive platform. The smart fortwo is a new-for-the-U.S., fuel efficient micro car with a small eco footprint.
Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Renault S.A., will kick off the Los Angeles Auto Show by delivering the Motor Press Guild (MPG) keynote address the morning of Nov. 19, 2008.
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Today's race cars have ground-breaking technology to improve speed, power, performance and safety but what a difference 17 years into the future can make. Imagine race cars that go beyond the expectations and challenges of racing today, such as never needing to stop for re-fueling or collision avoidance assistance technology for enhanced safety.
Nine of Southern California's automotive design studios did just that, predicting how auto racing will change by the year 2025. The designs are part of the fifth annual Los Angeles Auto Show's Design Challenge, where studios including Audi, BMW, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volkswagen are pitted against each other to showcase their talents and further explore new ideas in automotive design.
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