When people say Americans won’t give up their cars, Los Angeles is a case study on automotive saturation. Car fever took off during the post World War II era economic boom, and the sprawling city’s far reaching tentacle of freeways make the automobile essential. Culver City speed shops and custom car culture elevated the LA’s romance with the automobile to another level. But a new reality has set in, and so far, no one is exactly sure how to stop it.
Los Angeles may be a car town, but there’s nothing more brutal than an LA traffic jam and its massive environmental footprint. The state of California has embraced some of the cleanest emissions standards in the country, and is most identifiable as the home of the new electric car business, thanks to Tesla and Google. But when it comes to automotive innovation, LA proper has catching up to do with what’s happening north in Silicon Valley.
The biggest issue at the LA Auto Show seems to be one of timing
This central theme of recalibration resonates at the LA Auto Show this year, which runs through November 27th. The show has gradually evolved as the place to introduce carefree convertibles into an event to think ahead about mobility, an idea that’s much bigger than the state of California. Last year, organizers introduced a Connected Car Expo prior to the show. This year it merged automation and autos into a full week of preview days in an effort to keep up with both the upcoming Consumer Electronic Show and the North American International Auto Show in January.
There are plenty of cars to see — including 50 vehicles debuts. Still, as the public visits the show this week, the biggest issue at the LA Auto Show seems to be one of timing. During the previews, conversations inevitably touched on the uncertain policies of a President-Elect Trump administration, and how it could alter plans to introduce cars with cleaner emissions.
Tamara Warren
But the show has to go on. Automobility was staged under tents in front of the convention center in the downtown district. Picture a baby Consumer Electronics Show, as startups, software companies, and panelists turned their eyes toward the future of the car. Intel declared its intention to launch a $250 million autonomous car program. Argus Cyber Security highlighted its software to prevent hacking. Automakers joined in as well. BMW said it would expand its car-sharing service ReachNow to Brooklyn and Ford CEO Mark Fields spoke on Ford’s automated future. Hyundai announced its partnership with Amazon Echo. A series of panels covered big-picture topics. Inventor Dezsö Molnár described the the flying car race he is planning for next year in Nevada. Some of California’s newest luxury electric car companies had a presence. The NextEV CEO broke down her vision that cars should tackle both software and hardware and Lucid Motors showed off its electric sports car prototype.