'A New Beginning' for the Los Angeles Auto Show

Theme Highlights Strategic Date Change and Increased Stature

LOS ANGELES, June 12 -- The world's automobile companies will be stepping forward with a number of production and concept vehicle world debuts to help usher in "A New Beginning" for the Los Angeles Auto Show. The theme conveys the increased national and international stature due to the show's earlier dates.

Press days for the LA Auto Show are Nov. 29 and 30, 2006, followed by public days on Dec. 1-10, 2006. The new dates give the show its own time period on the international auto show calendar, thereby resolving a 25-year-old conflict with the auto show in Detroit. The date change has been universally applauded throughout the automotive industry.

With the change of dates, the LA Auto Show becomes a significantly more important venue for the industry. Considerably more journalists are expected to attend this year because of increased debuts of production and concept vehicles, resulting in greater national and international media exposure.

Following press days, the focus will shift from industry to consumer outreach. Los Angeles is one of the world's largest automobile markets and its sales trends are continually analyzed. The region is also recognized as an important trendsetter for the nation. As such, it is a crucial battleground for all brands.

"Changing the dates of the LA Auto Show is the single most dramatic development in the show's history," says Andy Fuzesi, general manager of the LA Auto Show. "It's similar to when the Detroit show changed its name and dates, which was the beginning of its rise to international prominence that it now enjoys."

Automakers are looking at the LA Auto Show in a decidedly new way. "They're backing it up by elevating their presence with production and concept world debuts and more elaborate exhibits," Fuzesi adds. "The activities will also spill into the Hollywood night, as a number of automakers are planning offsite evening parties for journalists."

For the first time in the show's history, Los Angeles has received international sanctioning from the Paris-based Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA). The international automotive trade association acknowledged the significance of this year's LA Auto Show by placing it on the international show calendar.

The increase in world debuts, greater media attendance and worldwide news coverage aptly reflect the show's "A New Beginning" theme. It also lays the foundation for the future direction and growth of the LA Auto Show.

  Additional details and announcements will be made in the coming months.

         What journalists are writing about the LA Auto Show ...

"After years of living in the Detroit show's shadow, the Los Angeles show is redesigning itself. Next year's centennial show will be held in November, a time slot that should give a chance to debut a lot more new products."

                                 Business Week
                                 United States

"Considering the size of the automobile market in California, many automobile companies must be considering to shift their focus from Detroit to LA, especially Japanese companies that have their HQs in California. I see a change in LA."

                                 Car Graphic
                                 Japan

"With the Los Angeles show poised to start kicking off a month before Detroit, it behooves the auto companies to make a big splash in L.A. -- sort of like a sports team's desire to start a new season on the right foot."

                                 Scripps Howard News Service
                                 United States

"Second fiddle for the last time. The permanent November slot will once and for all distance LA from Detroit, while its dates won't overlap with any holidays, either. Its 'international' status will be recognized with a new title."

                                 Road & Track
                                 United States

"Detroit has to fight growing competition. There are rumors in the business that some car manufacturers are thinking about showing their best products at the rival show in Los Angeles."

                                 Neue Presse
                                 Germany

"The LA show will receive international status from the OICA. At the same time its date has moved forward: the LA Auto Show 2007 begins on December 1, 2006, six weeks before the next Detroit Show. This way, an interesting competition between the two American locations can develop."

Welt am Sonntag

Germany