The Auto Writer

The second of the two press days for the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show was quite different from the first day, likely because the bulk of the big introductions were done on Wednesday. Still, the roll out of the Kia Soul and the announcement that the Volkswagen Jetta TDI was the Green Car of the Year generated a lot of buzz all around.  

Those were just two of the three conferences I attended today (Ferrari was the third) as I wanted to focus on getting several articles completed before I took my short drives of the Honda FCX Clarity and the Smart ForTwo. In visiting shows like these, I’ve learned to pick and choose which conferences to attend instead of feeling as if I have to take in everything. Besides, with media material at the ready, so much good stuff is available for review once the auto show has ended.

Among some of the things of note for the second press day were:

• Chrysler may be pleading poverty, but they did go to the trouble of sending three EV models to the show. Yes, they may be vaporware and, worst of all, moot once the company’s fate has been sealed. I spoke with the guys who were doing the EcoDrive for the Dodge Ram Diesel and wondered if this solid good truck would survive Chrysler’s downfall or merger. Maybe someone will buy out Chrysler and keep Jeep, the minivans, and the Dodge Ram — I doubt that Carlos Ghosn is interested.

• It doesn’t really matter what I think of a vehicle if someone else is interested in buying it. Though I thought the Kia Soul was a hit, I didn’t think the same with the Nissan Cube. In fact, if there was an “Ugly Car of the Year” award, the Cube would be a finalist. But, like the Scion, its likely to develop its own cult following.

• There wasn’t much to look at with the Suzuki exhibit, but the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies were an excellent reason to stop by. I meant to get a closer look at the Grand Vitara, but I forgot all about it. Must have been the cookie aroma that distracted me.

• The production version of the Chevrolet Volt was on display and Bob Boniface, the Director of Design for the Volt, was standing nearby answering questions. For the record: the Volt is an attractive car, the photos of it just do not do it justice.

• I learned that Toyota is “studying” diesel technology, but I don’t see the automaker going in that direction — ever. When you got the hybrid thing down pat and you’re developing electric technology, why expand to another alternate fuel source and dilute your resources? Toyota seems to be content at doing what they already do and are constantly refining the process.

• I’m probably not the only one longing to hang onto every bit of good news that I can find. Reality is that these are tough times, but that theme gets tiresome when it is repeated again and again at news conferences. Worse, are the blow by blow regurgitations of sycophant bloggers who are following the U.S. auto industry and posting everything and anything related to the crisis (manufactured, trumped up, or otherwise). I got news for you: people will still continue to buy new cars even if half of the industry went down the tubes in one day.

Well, that’s a wrap for now. I’ll be publishing a related auto show article on Friday and get back into my usual one or more article routine beginning on Monday. I enjoyed the show, made some contacts, and hope to drum up some additional business.

Will I go to Detroit in January for the NAIAS? That depends on a few things, namely the amount of business I have going for me and whether someone else will foot the bill. Sponsors, anyone?