2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, Extended Coverage

This is a Hot Wheels track about 30' in the air.  You had to walk up a stairway to get to the top.  Each person got two cars to race.  The winner was the first to land in the box.  The first finish, was not always the first landing.  Many of the cars missed.  This was the most fun part of the show.  It was supposed to lend excitement to the other displays.  It didn't.  The rest of the show was as dull as ever.

2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, Extended Coverage

And so we start on the last day of the show.  Everyone working there was tired and ready for it to end.

We begin on the ash heap of history, with the Elio.  Like the Peel and many others before it, the Elio rises to the challenge and answers several questions:  What if cars were built for commuting?  What if aircraft techniques were used?  What if cars were sensibly proportioned?

Alas, the auto industry is an anachronistic one.  The car buying public isn't exactly forward looking. As we say "Hello" to this car, it's time to say "Goodbye."

Seen but not photographed: Skoda Ute

For those of us in the United States, that's the Skoda El Camino or the Skoda Ranchero.  This was a blue one that went by a couple of weeks ago. Even the bed is small.  It's smaller than the last car/truck thing VW sold in the early 1980's.  It's an urban pick up for people who don't have to carry very much. At least they're trying something different.

Traffic in Portland Oregon

When a trend has run its course.

2012 Smart Car

Why didn't this car succeed?  Sure, it gets so so mileage on premium gas, but it's fun to drive!  As they say in England, it's nippy!  U-turns are no problem.  Parking is a breeze.  I can think of a few places and situations where this would have been the only choice at the time.  Tiny cars can be a blast.

Chrysler is not smart enough to offer this option.