LAAS 2013, 2

An ego in Michigan got by the parent company, which is listed last. It should be separated and on different materials.

Their survey question was about the SRT (???) brand. Where they get the confidence to build another brand after bankruptcy and losing Plymouth is anyone's guess. Right before the question was asked, I caught a glimpse of an imitation Mustang with an SRT badge, which seemed to indicate a higher price and louder paint. If they need a defining characteristic beyond weak transmissions, this might be it.

2013 Los Angeles Auto Show

Rather than working as an unpaid publicity machine, our team chose to cover the event on the last, most convenient day. We're here for us. Also, we like to walk around when the corporate types are too tired to bother anyone. There are lots of pictures, but laziness prohibits their uploading at this time.

Seen but not photographed: Big Unlabeled Audi

This one is still an Audi, but the magic is gone.  Sleekness and style are starting to yield to bloat.  Has Audi become Detroit in the late 60's?  It was a prototype, which means it might not be too late.

Unlabeled Porsche

Porsche prototypes are rare in the wild.

Seen but not photographed: Jetta Wagon 2.5, Mitsubishi iMiEv, Tesla Beverly Hills

Both looked about the same as they always do. The Jetta was the most puzzling, because the 2.5 is supposed to be going away.  Often, however, cars that are a few years old are used to test new engines.  I have pointed out in the past that the only reason displacement is written on the outside is because you wouldn't have any idea otherwise.  In this case, nothing in the way the car was driven indicated anything about the engine.  Whatever they're testing is just like everything else.

Seeing the Mitsubishi was interesting, just because they're not dead yet.  Their electric car hasn't caught on, and I doubt more testing will help. 

Tesla is falling behind stylistically.  Their dealership is a squat box painted flat black with a sign done in polished aluminum letters.  They are just in time for the rat rod trend.  Will their cars have wide white walls?

Mercedes Loaf of Bread

Some day, this company will hire a designer.

Vision SZR

My late grandmother often said, "It's not what you know, it's who you know."  The people driving this car were great, but I have never heard of them. I hope that those in the business who matter have heard of them.  The Vision was designed and built in Orange County, California, USA.