Not Just New Models

The Los Angeles Auto Show was open to the public from December 1 to 10, 2017.

The LA Show dates back to 1907. In 1929, a fire broke out due to the electrical system within the venue. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but most of the exhibited vehicles were destroyed. After World War II, however, it has maintained its unique position as the show for California, the largest automotive market in the US.

Since last year, the "Connected Car Expo," previously organized by the same entity, has been unified with the show. During the press days, an event named "Automobility LA" has also been held.

"Automobility LA" primarily consists of talk shows, and in its second year, it began four days before the public opening.

The themes ranged from "Unraveling the Mysteries of Automotive AI" and "Uncompromising Safety" to topics looking ahead to the era of "flying cars," reflecting the cutting-edge research characteristic of LA.

Infiniti QX50

Subaru Ascent

After each session, visitors could immediately provide a five-stage rating via social media. This open and typically American approach allows for frank judgment, even from leaders of cutting-edge IT companies.

Incidentally, at its "Automobility LA" pavilion, Toyota announced plans to build a power plant in California that generates hydrogen from waste biomass. They also exhibited a fuel cell-powered large truck, which had been undergoing demonstration tests since October. A display beside it repeatedly showed astonishing acceleration, far surpassing that of diesel trucks.

With Darth Vader's Theme

Let's turn our attention to the main auto show.

Among the production models, world premieres included the Jeep Wrangler from local US brands, the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class from European brands, and from Japanese brands, the Infiniti QX50 and the Ascent, Subaru's largest model to date.

Focusing on Mercedes-Benz's press briefing, the brand proudly announced its position as the number one luxury brand in the US market, having sold 270,000 vehicles between January and October 2017.

Furthermore, as previously announced, they reaffirmed their $1 billion investment in the US for their EV brand "EQ" and stated that an SUV version would be produced at their Alabama plant.

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

During the unveiling of the new CLS, it was emphasized that the first generation, launched in 2004, pioneered a new segment by combining the comfort and functionality of a sedan with the elegance and sportiness of a coupe, setting a precedent for its rivals.

At the same time, it was suggested that the US market is a crucial global market for the CLS, with over 350,000 units sold to date.

The new model is the first CLS to seat five passengers. Its inline six-cylinder engine employs a mild-hybrid system with an integrated starter and generator, known as ISA. The electric motor assists during acceleration and regenerates energy during deceleration.

The interior features atmospheric touches, such as air vents whose illumination color changes from blue to red in conjunction with the rising temperature of the expelled air.

Nissan × STAR WARS The Last Jedi

Meanwhile, Nissan delivered the most spectacular briefing of the show.

In 2016, Nissan also released a "Star Wars" edition of the Rogue (the North American version of the X-Trail) at the LA Show, in collaboration with Lucasfilm. This was a special edition for the North American market based on the standard model.

This year, their booth featured show cars created in collaboration with "The Last Jedi," the latest installment in the Star Wars saga. While all are based on North American Nissan production models like the Titan and Maxima, the level of customization, supervised by Lucasfilm, is remarkably high.

At the end of the presentation, Stormtroopers, familiar characters from the series, made successive appearances to the theme of Darth Vader, thrilling the audience.

Chris Bangle's New Proposal

Meanwhile, the only concept car making its world premiere from a major manufacturer was effectively Toyota's "FT-AC." This suggests that concept cars are becoming less of a "must-have item" even at major shows.

As I considered this, I rechecked the schedule for press day and noticed an unfamiliar brand name on the afternoon of the second day, after all major manufacturers had finished their presentations.

The name was "Redspace."

Redspace REDS

The presenter turned out to be Chris Bangle, the American designer who served as Design Director for the BMW Group from 1992 to 2009 and established the BMW design language that continues to this day.

Redspace is a new brand from China Grand Automotive (CHTC), headquartered in Beijing, which primarily focuses on textile machinery and electric commercial vehicles.

The Redspace "REDS" is an EV designed for major Chinese cities, commissioned by CHTC to Bangle.

"REDS" is a full four-seater, but its overall length is kept to a mere 2,977mm, significantly shorter than theSmart Forfour" or theFiat 500" models. When parked, it can accommodate five passengers.

Bangle and his team's initial focus for the project was the fact that "in China, cars are stationary for 90 percent of the day."

Therefore, they explored mobility solutions that could be utilized as living or working spaces while parked. For such purposes, the dashboard incorporates a pop-up 17-inch screen usable for video games and business.

The "space-first" nature of the project is also evident from the development timeline. Interior design development began in 2016, but according to Bangle, exterior design work didn't commence until the summer of 2017, just a few months before the reveal. Japanese designer Atsuhiko Yamada also participated in the project.

The vehicle unveiled was built in Turin, Italy, and is already capable of driving. CHTC is currently coordinating with suppliers and other partners for production.

Discussions hinting at the future, press briefings presented like entertainment, and intellectual proposals from a star designer—As motor shows worldwide explore new styles, the LA Show, in its 110th year, became a showcase brimming with the diversity befitting the city it calls home.