LOS ANGELES, Calif.–The Los Angeles Auto Show began its 10-day run at the Los Angeles Convention Center today, with more than 1,000 vehicles on display, highlighted by fuel-efficient, hybrid, electric and alternative fuel vehicles and the debuts of at least a dozen luxury and performance vehicles.
There will be two dozen all-electric or plug-in electrical models at the show, at least a dozen clean-diesel vehicles, and nearly 20 vehicles averaging more than 40 miles per gallon with highly advanced four-cylinder gasoline engines.
General Motors’ first all-electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Spark EV, will make its world debut at the show, as will Fiat’s first electric vehicle, the 500e.
“As the first major North American show of the season, L.A. sets the tone for 2013,” Auto Show General Manager Andy Fuzesi said. “In virtually every category from the greenest electrical vehicle to high-horsepower performance models, the technological advancements we are seeing today eclipse all previous automotive eras.”
There will be 24 vehicles making their world debuts and 25 their North American debuts.
“The auto industry in North America is experiencing its best annual sales rate since 2008 and this positive growth can clearly be seen in the number of debuts, broad range of vehicles and transformative technologies on display at the show,” Fuzesi said.
World debuts in the luxury and performance category include Mercedes-Benz’s SLS AMG Black Series; the third generation of the Porsche Cayman, described as lower and longer, lighter and faster, more efficient and more powerful than its predecessors; and the 2013 Acura RLX sedan, powered by a new 310-horsepower direct-injected SOHC 24-Valve i-VTEC V-6 engine with variable cylinder management.
North American debuts in the category include Porsche’s 911 Carrera 4 and the Jaguar F-TYPE convertible sports car.
Volkswagen’s 2013 Beetle Convertible will be among the vehicles in the compact performance category making their world debuts, along with Hyundai’s longer, seven-passenger version of its Santa Fe crossover. Mini USA’s Paceman and Clubvan will make their North American debuts.
Other world debuts include the latest version of the Honda Civic, Kia’s Forte sedan, Mercedes-Benz’s Ener-G Force, Subaru Forester and Toyota’s RAV4.
The show will be open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays. The entrance closes one hour before the show closing.
Tickets purchased at the show are $12 for adults, with coupons for a $2 discount for weekday tickets available at the show’s website, laautoshow.com.
Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Weekday tickets for senior citizens 65 and older are $8.
Discounted tickets are also available on the show’s website.
