Green is the buzz word for this year's LA Auto Show as the world's automakers invite Angelenos to come in and kick the tires on over 50 new electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles on display at the show that opens today and runs through Sunday, Nov. 28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. They'll even be open on Thanksgiving.
The car companies hope producing green cars will translate into piles of cold, green cash in their coffers. Or, at least be the bait luring customers into the showrooms where they can buy a shiny new auto powered by a traditional gasoline engine.
The big news was the official introduction of the Chevrolet Volt - which won the Green Car of the Year Award and was named Motor Trend's and Automobile Magazine's Car of the Year for 2011. Joel Ewanick, marketing VP for GM rolled out the Volt he drove 1100 miles from Michigan. This still dusty battery powered road warrior, which comes equipped with a gasoline engine for extended range, used less than a gallon of gas on the trip as Ewanick took the time to keep it charged.
Chevrolet has announced pricing at $41,000 (or $33,500 depending on the federal income tax credit, which ranges from $0 to $7,500). Lease payment on a 36-month lease can be as low as $350 per month with $2,500 down.
They plan to sell 500 Volts by the end of the year, ten thousand in 2011 and eventually ramp up to 220,000 a year.
NISSAN LEAF
The Nissan Leaf, the other much-anticipated electric auto lighting up the motoring firmament also makes its auto show debut. The Leaf is smaller than the Volt, somewhere between the Altima and the Versa, and is a battery only car. Nissan boasts its 100-mile range but there's no back up gas motor to keep you going if you forget to plug it in. Nissan says you can return the car to an 80% charge in only 30 minutes at public charging stations if you have an optional Quick Charge Port. Which is ten times as long as the average time at the gas pump for a full tank but better than the eight hours required for a full charge using your home's current.
The Leaf is priced at $32,780 and depending on the eligibility for the $7,500 federal tax credit it's likely to run you considerably less than a Volt. But you have to decide if the "range extender" comfort of a back up gasoline engine is worth the extra dollars. You can rent a car for those annual trips to see the proverbial "grandma" GM keeps mentioning in its pitch for the Volt's dual power sources.
The company has also said that monthly lease payments from as little as US$349 can also be arranged.
CHEVROLET CRUZE
You don't have to plug in to get great gas mileage. Chevrolet's new midsize car the Cruze offers 42 mpg with its turbocharged gasoline engine and six speed automatic transmission for about $19,000. The base Cruze comes in at just under $17,000.
The cars have been a hit in Europe and South Asia where they've been on the market for several years. GM offers a hatchback version of the Cruze in Europe but if you want a hatchback in similarly sized vehicle you'll have to look at GM's crosstown rival Ford.
The new Ford Focus, like the Cruze, was first introduced in Europe but unlike Chevy, Ford decided to bring a hatchback and sedan version over here. Conventional wisdom in the Auto world holds Americans don't like hatchbacks but when Ford actually asked people they were told they definitely would buy a hatchback. So, the company changed course and added a hatchback for just under $19,000 to the mix that includes a four-door sedan that priced around $17,000. Each is designed to deliver about 40 mpg.
Ford's president for North America, Mark Fields, is bullish on the Focus because this segment of the market represents 20% of the cars sold in the US and 50% are sold to first time buyers. The streamlined styling proves that small can be beautiful or at least doesn't have to be dull.
PORSCHE 911 SPEEDSTER
All of the traditional piston powered autos, even the most sporty and high performance ones, are being given a new coat of fuel efficient, green wash to demonstrate their affinity for the survival of the planet as well as the ability to pin your skull to the headrest as they accelerate.
Porsche's new 911 Speedster takes you from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 190 mph but executives were quick to point out in the same breath that it delivers, "27 mpg on the highway." Of course, you won't get 27 mpg at 190 mph. When asked what kind of fuel economy to expect when driving flat out they said they'd have to check.
CAMARO CONVERTIBLE
Chevrolet wasn't averse to throwing a little red meat into the ring. The new Camaro Convertible, available in February, just in time for the Spring melt, has all the heart thumping horsepower and handling any self-respecting car guy or car gal craves. It's the perfect take me out, wind me up and go vehicle for those unafraid of emitting a little carbon or burning some rubber. As Kermit used to say, "It's hard being green" especially when a Camaro calls your name.
Chevrolet teamed up with Hot Wheels to create a Camaro model and they'll be giving those away at different times during the day. They advise visitors to the show to check with representatives on the Chevrolet stand for details.
DODGE CHARGER
The CEO and head of design for Chrysler's Dodge brand, Ralph Gilles, said he was showing only mid-life cycle, "interventions." But he's worked his team hard to update the interiors and banished what he called, "rat fur gray" textured trim. Confident at what he's been able to achieve he says the new interiors are "delicious."
His biggest challenge was trying to make the minivan cool. Chrysler invented this segment 27 years ago and has sold 13-million of the kid haulers but Gilles wants to make it "fun to drive."
Gilles really got excited when he talked about the revamped 5.7L HEMI V8 powered 2011 Charger. It has "more sex per pound" than other cars in its class and "is the type of vehicle that makes others wet their pants," he said. There's "finally a HEMI that justifies the Charger's looks." The starting price for power and speed is $25,995.
FIAT 500
Speed and green power are being challenged for popularity among buyers by the small, cute, nostalgia and value conscious wing of the automotive world with Fiat's introduction into the US of its 500 coupe. The diminutive 500 or, cinquecento, as it's called in Italy, is an updated throwback to the car that put that country on wheels after the Second World War. The 500, borrowing the playbook BMW used with its reinterpretation of the Mini, has helped to return Fiat back to profitability and CEO Sergio Machionne, who also runs Chrysler now, hopes it will do the same for the still lagging US automaker. The 500 will be built in Toluca, Mexico which will help Fiat service the US, Mexico and South America. Engines will be supplied by a Chrysler plant in Dundee, Michigan. Chrysler dealers will distribute three models of the 500 starting at $15,500.
HEIDI KLUM
Not every car maker had stunning news to share with the media and those that don't often resort to dangling distractions in front of the frumpy shutterbugs. Volkswagen talked up its cars but got attention from only model, an actual model, Heidi Klum.
The LA Auto Show has something for everyone and as the city completes its light rail system eventually you won't even have to drive downtown to attend. Wouldn't it be great to live in a world where we can choose to drive instead of being condemned to commute? Until then, we might as well make it as much fun and environmentally conscious as possible.
Location and Information:
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 741-1151, ext. 3
