2016 LA AUTO SHOW: Tech Companies Steal Thunder - Seeking Alpha

Special To The Auto Channel
By Clark Schultz, SA News Editor
Seeking Alpha.Com

Los Angeles Nov. 16, 2016: The Los Angeles Auto Show is off and running this week, with technology companies stealing some of the early headlines.

Samsung got the ball rolling with its huge acquisition of Harman , while Amazon dazzled many by showcasing its connected-car Blue Link technology that uses the AI-heavy Alexa in Hyundai cars.

Ride sharing platforms are on display, led by BMW's Reach Now program which is a potential Uber (Private:UBER) X competitor.

Edmunds.com may have sent a bit of shock wave through the auto retailer sector by demonstrating its advanced messaging platform that uses Facebook Messenger to help direct buyers to cars.

Then there is Olli which is the first self-driving vehicle to use IBM Watson as its brains.

There are plenty of new models on display at the Staples Center - including the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Volkswagen e-Golf, Land Rover Discover, Porsche Panamera and Mazda CX-5. The first look at the Jaguar all-electric I-Pace SUV is one of the more talked about introductions.

The all-electric Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model X mobile design studio will also be making an appearance in LA. Expect some updates on both as the GM vs. Tesla war starts to get ratcheted up.