Los Angeles Auto Show

The 100th Annual Los Angeles Auto Show starts tomorrow, December 1st, and runs through December 10th. I went to the first media preview day yesterday, and man, my feet are killing me!

The LA Auto Show used to be held in January. This year, for the first time, they've moved it earlier in order to avoid bumping up against the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which is the mother of all auto shows on the continent. LA was overshadowed by Detroit, and was largely ignored by the international press. By moving the show earlier and positioning it as a design showcase, the hope was that the show would become more than just a stopover on the way to the real show back East.

Judging by the turnout of press and concept cars, the hope is on its way to being fulfilled. The crowds of press at the event were bigger than ever, and there was a number of high quality concept vehicles unveiled. The talk at the press conferences was all about how LA is a design center for the automotive industry, and how California is a leader in environmental issues as well as car culture. Alternative fuels and hybrid powerplants were all the rage. There was a hydrogen fuel-cell-powered Ford Expedition available for drives on the public streets. And it was LA, so there were celebrities from Jennifer Love Hewitt to James Denton to Kermit the Frog.

And there were SUVs and Crossover vehicles galore.

Watch this space for a photo gallery -- just as soon as I finish soaking my feet. Ouch!

Photo © Jason Fogelson