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The 2019 AutoMobility LA convention and auto show will include
reveals of automakers' key electrified concept vehicles as well as
traditional production vehicles. While the trend towards vehicle
electrification is not new, new products in LA demonstrate the
benefits of electrification to vehicle performance and work for an
emotional connection with customers.
Along with utility vehicle introductions from Ford, Audi, Buick
and Mazda are expected to be the most talked about reveals, several
new passenger cars Audi, BMW, and Nissan are introducing passenger
cars, and VW's key concept is a wagon. We discuss several of the
key introductions here, though this is not a total list; more
introductions are coming.
A Tesla electric pick-up is expected to be
revealed away from the show on 21 November. Little concrete is
known about the Tesla (including when it might be on sale), but
when it does arrive it will face a new competitive landscape to
today. Currently, Tesla has relatively few EV competitors in the
segments it plays in. However, Ford and GM have indicated plans for
pure electric pick-up trucks, and all three have potential to
arrive on market within a year or so of each other. While there is
opportunity for Tesla, full-size pick-up truck owners are demanding
and loyal. It may not be quite as easy to win them over.
Ford revealed the Mustang Mach E electric sport
utility vehicle on 17 November. The Mustang Mach E
is the reveal that has everyone talking. Not only does it bear the
Mustang name, it is Ford's first serious attempt at the EV market.
This is the beginning of a new era for Ford, one which will include
more electrified and electric vehicles. Deciding to call this a
Mustang gave Ford a North Star for developing an emotional, focused
and compelling EV. Any flaws will come out in time, but this is a
believable, credible start.
Audi is displaying its second electric vehicle
(EV), the e-tron sportback. This vehicle is closely related to the
e-tron SUV, with sportier profile expected. The e-tron Sportback
will share technology with the e-tron as well. Audi's second full
battery-electric offering will attempt to inject more emotion into
the space, leaving the standard e-tron to wear the practical
mantle. Contrasting with the EV and reinforcing that Audi is not
neglecting its standard line-up, Audi is also highlighting its
sporty side with new RS models (RS Q8, RS 6 Avant and RS 7) and
giving its top sedan a minor change that includes adding a hybrid
A8 and a new 563-hp S8.
BMW is offering up several new variants, but
the key model is the all-new Gran Coupe 2 Series. The new four-door
model shares a platform with the front-wheel-drive 1 Series
hatchback (not offered in the US) and unlike the current rear-drive
format of the 2-Series coupe. US sales of the 2 Series Gran Coupe
are planned to begin in March 2020 and production is due to start
in November 2019. With four doors instead of two, the 2-Series Gran
Coupe has higher volume potential for the US market than the more
sporty, rear-drive 2-Series coupe.
BMW is also introducing luxury model variants, including the BMW
M2 CS, M8 Gran coupe, 330e xDrive, and X3 xDrive30E. Offering
plenty of choice and option has worked well for premium brands,
where owners can be more willing to spend money to have a product
that caters to their attitude.
Alfa Romeo is expected to reveal minor
facelifts for both the Guilia and the Stelvio. The brand has been
struggling in the US market, after a promising launch in 2017. The
brand has continued its efforts to generate consumer interest in
its models, including limited-edition versions announced at the New
York auto show. Alfa Romeo's latest product-led renaissance has
also stumbled in Europe as well, and in October, parent Fiat
Chrysler automobiles (FCA) announced that it was revising its plans
for the brand. Along with struggling sales, the brand also lost its
most stalwart and dedicated supporter with the death in 2018 of
former CEO Sergio Marchionne.
Fiat is updating another struggling model for
the 2020 model year, with the 500X Sport taking a reveal in Los
Angeles. Sales of the 500X, according to FCA, declined 61% year on
year from January to September 2019, with only 2,076 units sold.
While FCA has not indicated it will end Fiat sales in the US, it is
difficult to see where the opportunity for greater success will
come from.
Mazda's key product in Los Angeles will be the
CX-30, which competes in the same segment as the 500X and goes on
sale in December. In 2020, the CX-30 will share a showroom with the
CX-3. Mazda introduced a new look and feel for its advertising in
2019, but with sales down 10% in 2019 (according to Mazda-reported
figures), the brand may not be connecting as well as the company
would like. The CX-30 may help address the situation by expanding
Mazda's CUV lineup; it is also a bit larger than the CX-3, so could
resonate better with US buyers than the slightly undersized
CX-3.
Nissan will show the 2020 model-year Sentra in
Los Angeles. The new Sentra is essentially the same as the
China-market Sylphy, which suggests that the car's design will be
more stylish than that of the current generation. Despite a US
market preference for utility vehicles, Nissan is among the brands
committed to offering new products to the sedan buyers in the
country.
Hyundai will introduce a new SUV concept and a
mid-cycle update for the Ioniq, a vehicle offered in electric,
hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrain variants. The SUV concept
will have a PHEV powertrain option, according to company
announcements.
Toyota also checks both the electrification and
utility vehicle boxes with a plug-in version of the RAV4. While
details are not available just yet, we think Toyota has also gotten
the memo about developing alternative powertrains which bring as
much (or more) excitement to the drive as efficiency.
Bollinger will follow the brand's recently
revealed four-door EV truck and SUV with a public debut. The
Bollinger products are boxy and unusual but are also Class 3
vehicles reportedly inspired by the Bollinger CEO not having a good
alternative vehicle for his family's farm. Karma
will also continue its current releases of news and updates,
showing a follow-up concept vehicle. As Karma is looking to launch
a new global platform in 2021, it has been increasingly announcing
preparations for this.
Although the Mustang Mach E electric SUV has garnered more than
its fair share of news, the next planned product in
Volkswagen (VW)'s ID family of EVs receives a
concept vehicle debut in Los Angeles, along with the second
electric Audi. VW will show the ID Space Vizzion at the expo,
demonstrating that the company remains committed to wagons. The Los
Angeles backdrop also suggests VW wants to capitalize on the US
affinity for VW wagons.
Posted 19 November 2019 by Stephanie Brinley, MBA, Principal Automotive Analyst, IHS Markit