Costa Mesa, CA – With Press Cars as we call them, cars that are offered to journalists to wring out so we can write reviews for you, not readily available because of the LA Auto Show last week, I wanted to bring you something a little different this week.
                We’ve all heard about the doom & gloom in the auto industry these days and rightfully so.  The economy stinks and the Feds are happy to bail out the banks and financial companies, who in turn spend the money on frivolous getaways and more of the same that got them, and us, in this mess in the first place. Then they scold and backhand the Auto Execs because they fly in corporate jets to meet with the boneheads in DC.  How do our coveted elected officials think the heads of the banks and financial companies are traveling around?  In coach, on a low cost airline?  By Greyhound Bus?  Road tripping in the family minivan?  I think not!  Somehow the Feds seem to think that the Auto companies don’t require the same hand-outs as other industries do even though they employ hundreds of thousands of people directly and indirectly via suppliers, dealerships, mechanics, Etc. across the globe.  Far be it from me to understand how they can even find the smarts to put their shoes on every day, the members of the second oldest profession that is (Frankly I don’t see the difference between them and the “so-called” first profession.  Both take your money and you never see it again).  Sorry…just had to get that off my chest.
                The timing, from the automotive perspective, could not be any worse for the economy to take a dump.  There has never been a time when you would be hard pressed to find a “bad” car like it is today.  A few short years ago you were hard pressed to find a “good” car at a price the average Joe could afford.  Sure some are faster, handle better, have nicer interiors, navigation systems, surround sound systems, Etc.  But overall the quality and value in today’s marketplace, regardless if the car is a product of the US, Japan, UK, Germany, Korea, Italy, has never been better.  You really can’t find a “bad” car anymore.  We’ll see if this holds up once the Chinese start selling cars here but for now the consumer has more choices, across the board, at any price, then we have ever had.
                So back to the LA Auto Show – The theme, if you can call it that, of the show was of course Hybrid Technology.  Which manufacturer can come up with the most whiz bang technology to save a

gallon of gas or a tree somewhere?  Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for better and smarter ideas that cost me less on a daily basis to operate an automobile.  I’m also all for cleaning and keeping the environment clean, but let’s lay the blame across the board rather than completely on the passenger vehicle.  Farm Equipment, 18-Wheelers, construction equipment, those noisy leaf blowers you hear, and smell, everyday in your neighborhood, all contribute to smog and green house gases, most of them more so then the typical passenger vehicle.
                The “other” theme was the economy.  Most have sales in the tank right now, a few are breaking even and a few have actually seen an increase in sales, but none are excited about the short term health of the industry.  Maserati, in particular has commissioned a study of how the sound of its engine affects the fairer sex, check it out at http://www.gqconnects.com/lowdown_maserati.asp  while you’re there download a cool ring tone to your phone.
                Aside from the doom and gloom some very cool cars were unveiled.  The Nissan 370Z.  The Nissan Versa Sedan, the least expensive car in the US.  Kia had fun with its upcoming model, the Soul.  The Ferrari California made its North American debut as did the Maserati Quattroporte S and the new BMW Mini Convertible.  VW switched gears a little and unveiled its Touareg Baja 1000 vehicle and the success it is having with diesel engines.
                The LA Auto Show runs through Thanksgiving weekend.  If you’re local it’s a great way to spend an afternoon.  For those of you across the country keep tabs on when your local show is and spend an afternoon there.  You’ll be pleased with what you see.  You really can’t go wrong any more on a particular car/truck/SUV these days.  The days of “bad” cars are gone, now all we need is the economy to turn around.  Buying a new car might be a good way for us all to help with that!

Column and photos provided by Rich Branch, EVP of Race Central TV and Radio Network Partners.