Changes coming to LA Auto Show

The toughest opponent for the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show has never been the weather, which is always perfect, nor the location, in car-crazed Southern California. It's been the calendar. After decades of being run on the exact same dates as the larger and more globally recognized Detroit auto show, LA finally stepped out of the shadow of the Motor City several years ago and grabbed its own spotlight -- in November. That lasted only until 2013, when both Tokyo and Guangzhou, China, two huge shows of global importance, were scheduled right on top of the LA Auto Show's Nov. 22-Dec. 1 dates. LA can't seem to win, and we're not talking about the Dodgers.

The LA Auto Show also had trouble making any kind of big news, with “world debuts” of trim levels and second-string concept cars instead of significant world-beaters. The show-opening keynote address didn't help much, either, with non-news public relations-scripted pablum delivered by various executives. Show management also seemed more interested in bringing in the local gate than shining on the international stage.

But don't give up on LA, baby. While scheduling conflicts are still a reality, a new general manager is in charge and hopes are higher than some of the guys living on the street only a few blocks from Staples Center.

Terri Toennies was hired as general manager earlier this year after a career in big-time event planning, including House of Blues Las Vegas.

“We have to think of this as 12 days of entertainment,” Toennies said. “It's about bringing the eye candy back to the show.”

First up will be the Motor Press Guild Invitational, a car show to be held from 6:30 to 8:30 the morning of the first press day Nov. 22. Toennies likens it to Cars 'N' Coffee events except that there will be art deco French masterpieces from the Mullin Automotive Museum, customs from local hero George Barris and what Toennies promises will be “celebrity” cars from local entertainment glitterati like Jay Leno and Billy Gibbons. Manufacturers will also bring cars to the invitational. It will be held outdoors on John S. Gibson Boulevard and in the area to the south of Staples Center. So that part certainly sounds promising. While the MPG Invitational won't technically be open to the public the first year, “We see this evolving into a public event,” Toennies said.

The car show at the car show will also replace the largely pointless keynote address as the opening event for press days at the Los Angeles Auto Show, another good thing.

In the West Hall Lobby, the Petersen Automotive Museum will park several cars from its 300-car collection and will provide “ambassadors” Fridays through Sundays to guide visitors and talk cars.

The big triangular area just off the West Hall Lobby and part of the Concours Hall will host a big design gallery, with displays from many, if not most, of the automotive design studios in Southern California. Each studio will get 8 feet of wall space to show off drawings, as well as floor space in the triangle for project and concept cars.

Inside Concours Hal itself will be the usual high-performance luxury suspects, which this year will include Aston Martin, Lotus and McLaren, among others.

Porsche will occupy its usual space in Petree Hall and will debut the Macon small SUV and possibly other models.

Effort will also be put into reviving Kentia Hall, which is sometimes lost to visitors because it sits underneath the massive South Hall of the Convention Center. Both Galpin Auto Sports and DUB will be out in force at Kentia and will also have display cars in the South Hall's ginormous lobby, so that show attendees get in the mood for cars right away.

Alfa Romeo and Maserati, missing in recent post-recession years, are not confirmed but are looking likely to attend. They'd be in the South Hall. Lamborghini won't make it in 2013 but has said it will return next year.

Even before the Nov. 20-21 press days, on Tuesday, Nov. 19 there will once again be a Connected Car Expo, featuring panelists, keynote speakers and participation by app developers, electronics interests and carmakers. Entrepreneurs will get to participate in fast-pitch sessions where they can make their case to industry titans.

Also on Nov. 19, the LA Auto Show will host the annual Western Automotive Conference at the Biltmore Hotel, put on by NADA and J.D. Power. It's mostly a dealer thing.

Thursday night, Nov. 21 will be the annual charity preview, where the paying public can pay a little more to see the show early and without the crowds -- though going Monday morning is probably just as uncrowded, if a little less glamorous.

“It will be a giant transition this year,” Toennies promised.

For more info, check out our LA Auto Show home page.

By Mark Vaughn