LA Auto Show (and Detroit Auto Show) -- some observations - need some input
 

I assume both shows are on at the same time - they usually run together. Whatever the case, most of the same hardware was probably at both shows. With that, I have some observations:

1) Why have a Detroit show, particularly at the same time? Everyone knows L.A. is the auto mecca of the world - at least in design. That's because, on one hand, we have the Art Center in Pasadena, which is like the MIT of auto design. Conversely, Ferraris, Lambos, and other exotics - while not quite as common as yellow cabs to NY, are easily seen here. Are they as common in Detroit? I don't know, really. I've heard the Detroit show is better than the LA show, and honestly, I can't see why it would be. Has anyone been to both shows?

2) Concept cars bug the daylights out of me: the new Camaro was at the L.A. show, but it seemingly forgot its engine and interior while I was there (the driver and passenger's side doors were closed, and no one was allowed on the rotating platform). In short, why show off a new car when all of its aspects aren't ready for public viewing?

3) The auto-aftermarket: is it in danger? So many manufacturers have their own in-house tuning departments. Mazda has Mazdaspeed, Ford has SVT, Mercedes has AMG, so on and so on. So what does that mean to the smaller aftermarket suppliers like Jackson Racing (Mazda) and Dinan (BMW and BMW-Mini)? For example, would you rather buy a Cooper Works Mini from the Mini dealership, or an aftermarket setup, possibly voiding the warranty in addition.

4) Okay - one last observation: is it me or have ordinary cars become really fast? Aside from a big Yukon or Denali (0-60 in est. 7.5 secs), it was difficult to find a normal passenger car that didn't go from 0-60 in less than 6 seconds.

Now no doubt, that's fast - and I'm not in any way complaining. However, I worry about the guy beside me who in his 300 hp. Lexus, may not have full control of the car.

In short, could all this power/speed be too much for today's driver? After all, in Los Angeles, it is estimated that in ten years, the average speed of L.A. freeways will be below 20 mph.

1) Its Detroit. It is still the home of the American auto industry.

EDIT: I have not seen the LA show, but I can tell you the Detroit show is HUGE. I went to the show in Chicago and was disappointed. Maybe 1/3 the size. They put up the big bucks for the Detroi show.

2) Concept cars are the future, and frequently they give us a glimpse into what will be on the road in 2-3 years. They are not supposed to be finished production models, so why the irritation?

3) Companys have become more savy with the aftermarket parts, but they are also always going to be very conservative.

4) Yes, daily drivers are getting faster. No worrys about the guy in the Lexus. He paid a lot for that car, and will drive accordingly. Its the kids in ricers and drunk drivers that worry me.

Honda Civic Si 197 HP, 0-60 in seven seconds. It's as fast as my SC, and a heck of a lot more reliable.

Not necessarily. Some concept cars have come as full driveable models that will decidedly see production:

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/01/07_EdgeCUV_13.jpg

This is the Ford Edge - it was shown in LA as a concept, but will be in production this year...

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/01/08/ford-gains-an-edge/[IMG]

At least Ford isn't chain-yanking the consumer like Chevy: Chevy asked people to log on to their website to give a thumbs up or down to the Camaro so the company could know whether or not to produce the car. That doesn't tell me the manufacturer is at all committed to the car. So why show it? Better to show a finished product and start taking pre-sale orders. There were a lot of people at the Camaro display who desired the car. That is until they saw a car of equal performance that was "finished."

1) I agree with your question, dd74. Why hold the Detroit and L.A. auto shows at the same time? Detroit is home to our auto manufacturers, so it should be the biggest show in America. At the same time, L.A. is possibly the biggest consumer and trend-setter in automotive design in the country, so it, too, should have a huge show. There are 52 weeks in the year. Why have the two events overlap (or come close enough in doing so) such that proper attention is diverted from either one?

3) Aftermarket will continue to thrive, despite inhouse tuner departments. People will still want (and pay for) "cooler" customized stuff.

4) Isn't the average speed of LA freeways already in the stop-and-go range?

1) The next LA Auto Show will be in December 2006, to address that conflict.

1. Detroit is the center of US automaking. If you ask a guy in NYC he will say NYC is the center, ask a guy in Miami he will tell you the same, ask a guy in LA same thing. Everyone thinks their city is better. When in reality Detroit is where it all started and continues to be the center of the US universe of cars.

2. I have always dug concept cars. Some make it to production others are just publicity stunts. I guess we tolerate the publicity stunts for that 1% that makes it to the show rooms.

3. Having owned a JCW MINI I can speak from experiance. Some choose to mod their cars their way. Some refuse to dish out the 6K price tag for a JCW kit and prefer to spend 50% of that or less for what they consider the same HP and performance. I tuned my RX-7 myself without the help of Mazdaspeed (although I race the RX-7 and I am a member of Mazdaspeed racing allowing me parts for my car @ 50% off - the main reason I race my RX-7 and not my Porsche, Porsche does nothing for the grassroots racer) I chose the JCW kit for my MINI because of the warranty but always felt limited as far as tunign went.

4. Seeing the rash of CGT's crashing as of late, the reading about events such as Concourse de elegance in Palm Beach every year and all the high end cars wrecking on the road course accompanied by the statement "more car than driver ability" I think you will see many more accidents and the eventual downfall of this HP race.

We have a running joke at our local Autocross when a Vette comes out. It will usually powerslide coming close to something non-movable. We wonder how soon it will happen rather than IF it will happen. Too many people buy cars and do not have the ability to drive them. Once attorneys get a hold of this it will come to an end.

I personally feel Porsche should step up and offer a driving school for CGT buyers and current owners before their name is ruined by all the wrecks happening.

I heard the LA Autoshow is being moved to earlier/later in the year (November 2006), most likely conflicting now with the OC Autoshow at the Anaheim Convention Center. However after going to the OC show this year, I will probably not attend next year unless I am looking for a new car. Porsche did not show up and many of the manufacturers were showing last year's models.

You are absolutely correct about today's vehicles have too much power. Many drivers today at least in the So Cal area are lousy drivers in my opinion. While vehicles have power to go faster, my concern is that they don't have the power to stop as fast or the concentration of the driver to maneuver himself/herself out of harm's way. The DMV is still handing out licenses, the test at the DMV has gotten easier and this in combination with too much power just causes more accidents. Driving has become a right and not a privilege. My solution to the problem that we as car enthusiasts should encourage is an advanced driving school that will teach people how to handle the power and handle their cars.