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There was even a Cybertruck doppelgänger
The 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show is a wrap — for press , anyway . That means it ’s sentence to recap the big launches , foreign particular , motorcar on display and peculiar absence we noticed this year .
The highlight let in the SUV that ’ll make or break Lucid , Amazon ’s auto fixing , a pickup that calls Tesla ’s Cybertruck to mind and a rocket - powered Pontiac Fiero that two gearheads somehow launched into scope ( not really ) .
The LA Auto Show trading floor was get over this class , thanks at least in part to the absence of Stellantis , which possess Fiat , Jeep , Chrysler and a host of other blade . As I type this , while propped against a paries on the convention centre of attention floor , a passerby remarked unconvincingly that the 24-hour interval ’s turnout was “ still jolly decent . ” The comment seemed to fascinate the auto diligence ’s fault toward stand - alone and on-line events , and how the style has left machine shows in search of ways to pad its halls . And yet , there ’s still plenty to chew on this twelvemonth , so permit ’s travail in .
Lucid Gravity: Handsome and high priced
Lucid had the biggest story of the show , as far as EVs go .
The company debut its somewhatlow - slung yet spacious Gravity SUV , boasting a “ project range ” of 440 mile and a toll rag around $ 80,000 .
It certainly looks like a luxury SUV , but I ca n’t talk to how it feels ; Lucid , regrettably , would not let me sit in the frunk . CEO Peter Rawlinson mention during his presentation that a Lucid is more come-at-able than you might think . ( As I put off repairing the dead set roulette wheel of my some $ 10,000 2013 Smart Fortwo , I reflexively wonder , “ What major planet is this man be on ? ” )
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Don’t call it a Cybertruck
A previously under - the - microwave radar company calledAitekxdebuted its RoboTruck at a pocket-size kiosk by the auto show ’s west hall .
You tell me — does this look like a Tesla to you ? When I require someone at the booth if the fomite was inspired by the Cybertruck , he respond with a firm “ no . ”
Fictitious
Some of the more memorable vehicles at the show were plainly plant of fiction . A Fast & savage display render off several vehicles from the long - running franchise , let in an orbital Fiero and Vin Diesel ’s Charger , both of which appear in “ F9 : The Fast Saga . ”
The films are n’t about naive realism . They ’re about cars . And family .
Amazon’s auto fixation
Another highlight of the show was Hyundai’stie - up with Amazon .
The on-line retail merchant said it ’ll start selling Hyundai vehicles in its U.S. store during the latter half of next year , adding that other brand will follow . It ’s not exactly a surprising move , seeing as the e - commerce behemoth already sell essentially everything , including full - blown prefabricated abode .
Did the spotlight dim on EVs?
I question this going into the show , and to be clear : The spot ’s still on electrification .
Virtually every automaker in attendance had a hybrid or all - galvanising fomite on display — Chevrolet illuminated the letters “ ev ” in its logotype to bluntly drive home this gunpoint . ( Like , OK , Chevy , we get it . ) And yet , during Subaru ’s and Hyundai ’s presentations , the assault and battery - galvanising vehicles seemed to take the back seat . Their presentment devoted more attention to gas guzzlers and hybrids . In doing so , they reflect an industriousness that acknowledges the intimate burning railway locomotive ’s fortune , yet still depends on them for profitability .
Beyond electrification
Beyond electrification , other important environmental considerations — such as ramp up with recycle materials and powering factories with renewable energy — did n’t seem top of thinker during the presentations . Last year , Fiat showcased some one - off vehicles that featuredrecycled amber and reclaimed sea trash . The move seemed more about the spectacle of it all , but at least it meant that “ recycled materials ” came up onstage .
This class , as Subaru of America chair Jeff Walters exit the stage , TechCrunch ask if he could speak to any environmental or sustainability considerations the companionship might ’ve made , such as the use of recycled material , with the new Forester . “ Not off the top of my head , ” he answer .
Lucid did n’t say as much onstage , but offstage Lucid innovation boss Derek Jenkins told TechCrunch that the auto maker incorporate leather alternatives , burl wood and reprocess recital in the interior of its SUV . Jenkins also play up that renewables make up a dower of the vim that powers its production adroitness .
In contrast , Kia stood out this yr when it fare to sustainability talk breaker point . The company present off two concept EVs and aver they feature a mushroom cloud - based leather choice , hemp fibers , recycled fabrics , natural dyestuff and bio - plastics . However , take this with a grain of common salt — these are n’t product vehicles .
