The Los Angeles Auto Show was as grand, spectacular, and Fabulous as it has always been.
The Show dwarfs other shows in comparison.
The center point of the events focused on autonomous vehicles, or that what they told us. The reality was that gas guzzling, horsepower and torque producing vehicles were the real showpieces The Climate saving showcase was promoted on the first day and then unveiled on the last day when most of the attendees were tired and hungover in their hotel rooms. Nevertheless, autonomous vehicles made an appearance with the Mayors press conference at the Department of Transportation, then getting into one to go to the show.
Still in development by google, and other car manufacturers, the autonomous vehicles center points the future in auto mobiles and makes itself as a factor in the movement in manufacturing. It can go up against the safest driver and beat them just like the Computers who beat Gary Kasparov at chess. They are comfortable, relaxing, and allow you to take a nap, read or get things done from your smart-phone. Lets not forget visually impaired and other handicapped people and the freedom autonomous vehicles will give them. The focused seemed to steer people towards this idea as the logical choice for the future. Time, Safety, Comfort and stress each played a factor in this decision to move to autonomous vehicles. Then most of the time was spent unveiling large cylinder horsepower guzzling vehicles. Tesla did not even bother to make an appearance at the show.
The Press and Trade days was filled with media people, car dealership owners, engineers, Salespeople, Auto Company CEO's and Showgirls. The focused seemed to steer people towards this idea as the logical choice for the future. Time, Safety, Comfort and stress each played a factor in this decision to move to autonomous vehicles
I was the happy wanderer throughout the show, not because I was eager to be part of the show, I was not going to miss the scene. It was a crazy scene. Big Boss car dealers and their sales people talking shop at the Gourmet Coffee stands. CEO's proudly boasting their latest models,Showgirls posing for selfies with eager Tradespeople, Side Party tents Luring in unsuspecting people, and Networking Kiosks. There were at least 20 coffee stand throughout the convention center serving as many free cappuccino, machiatos, espresso and the like to your hearts content.
The Guzzlers were amazing, from the New Mazarati's that can travel up to 191 MPH to the new monster 650+ HP Cadillac CTS each car was sleeker, faster and more muscular than the next. I was especially impressed with the new Alfa Romeo's, which comfortable seat five, yet can go just 190 mph. The Ford Display allowed me to sit in a simulator and drive off road.
I was also happy to to Visit the Mercedes Section, because at last I found the Mercedes I want. The GTZ-0-60 in 3.7 seconds in Dark Blue. I have noticed that all sporty Mercedes are looking the same and have lost their individuality and style. Not this one, this is a Benz that will stand out and make people's heads turn. Porsche, not to be placed with the masses had its own show-floor tucked away under the press room displaying the new 911's.
Although I was one of the only few in attendance on Environment day, no surprise. I was able to drive three Electric/No Emission vehicles. I drove the Ford Fusion, Chevy Volt, and Toyota Mirai. The Mirai offers the best Driving Experience, has comfortable seats, pretty dash panels and quiet excellent handling. It is a hydrogen vehicle, and its only emissions are water. It does cost upwards of 50,000 dollars, however, but with it does comes three year of free hydrogen, not a bad deal if you can spare the expense.
The Spectacle of the Show was grandeur, and they just scraped the surface of what clean technology can offer. The technology was available ages ago, but they killed it for profits. No they are trying to skim the surface and delay for as long as possible. American's love their gas guzzlers and it will difficult to pry them away from them. Furthermore instead of perfecting the technology, we are producing third rate guzzlers and moving plants to mexico. That does not make sense.
They tell us that autonomous zero emission vehicles are the wave of the future. However I am not sure that American's are ready to release themselves from the road. I foresee a future where weekend are filled with autonomous taxis and ride-sharing services taking to an fro in comfort and convenience. I am not sure however where that commitment will be coming from and who will be releasing their grasp on the guzzling economy. Time is working against us and the sad reality is that the city where the largest car show takes place is suffering from it's worst drought in decades confirmed undeniable by science and the fact that it was 82 degrees nearing winter in Los Angeles. The winters in L.A. are nice, but usually at 60 degrees, and 70 if the weather gods are smiling at us. Pretty soon Los Angeles will no longer be bearable, Maybe the Oregon Coast will welcome people as the new beach town adn surf capital of the world.
Regardless, when technology is present and it is kept away from consumer by the fiddling of the Market forces it is never a good sign. I spoke to the Sustainability Director of Caltrans a few weeks before the conference and they are just as concerned about California's emissions as I am. Yet making a big stink gets you nowhere. It's been made, it is just a matter of getting people on board. That is one of the biggest challenges to date.
I propose building green communities and offering discount and concurrent Zero vehicle emission trade ins for people who buy the new homes. This way they will kill two birds with one stone.
Auto Shows are fun exciting spectacles of American Gut and Muscle. Unfortunately the Japanese have been beating us to a bloody pulp. When the time comes and we figure out how to get out of our losing streak we will hopefully bring ourselves where we should be. That means with technology, with the environment, and with our own economy. That is just as American, and a little patriotic sacrifice.
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