The LA Autoshow is one of the most influential motor shows in the world, which may come as no surprise as Los Angeles is a city designed for cars, with wide, palm-fringed boulevards and an enormous expanse of space, covering 502 square miles (807 km) in fact.
There is a huge enthusiasm for luxury cars, also known as exotic cars, and sometimes supercars, in Los Angeles. There is an increasing trend for millennials to lease cars, partly because they want their car to be up to date with the latest technology and partly due to tax loophole on luxury car leases.
This enthusiasm led Uber to do an unusual promotional campaign, in collaboration with a local luxury car hire company, in LA and New York, whereupon you could effectively rent a luxury car and a driver for a chauffeured trip in a Rolls Royce. In Singapore, Uber was even offered Lamborghinis and Maseratis.
At the 2015 LA autoshow, we can expect to see 50 new introductions, including global launches. In keeping with the increasing appetite for SUVs, and SUV crossovers, Land Rover will be revealing its Evoque and Jaguar will be showcasing its first SUV.
Mercedes-Benz must have been pleased with their team putting them firmly in focus at the F1 in Brazil at the weekend. They have been sending teasing glimpses of their new Mercedes-Benz SL class; the perfect car to launch in Southern California. Huge power, a high price tag, sleek style and great capability combine to ensure that this Mercedes-Benz, with its redesigned hood, will be on the wish list of every Californian car enthusiast.
We’re looking forward to seeing all the news from the LA autoshow in the next week or so.