USA: Automakers take the wraps off dozen of new models at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Record ID: 808715

  • Title: USA: Automakers take the wraps off dozen of new models at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show
  • Date: 29th November 2012
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 28, 2012) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF THE FLOOR VARIOUS OF THE FIAT 500E DEBUT (SOUNDBITE) (English) OLIVIER FRANCOIS, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, FIAT, SAYING: "Fun, I would even say, 'sexiness.' Why would an electric car be an electric appliance that brings you to point A to point B. When you can enjoy and have fun and it can loo
  • Embargoed: 14th December 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Business,Industry
  • Reuters ID: LVA1HPJQJ7ZZAKTSV0QNA9Q80Q7K
  • Story Text: Fiat was among the several automakers looking to "plug-in" and go "green" at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show, unveiling on Wednesday (November 28) its "500e" model, an all-electric version of its popular mini-car.
    With its debut, the Italian car maker hopes to bring "style" to the growing electric car market.

    "Fun, I would even say, 'sexiness,'" explained Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer for Fiat. "Why would an electric car be an electric appliance that brings you to point A to point B. When you can enjoy and have fun and it can look good."
    The unveiling of the "500e" was among the highlights of the first of two media preview days, prior to the opening of the LA Auto Show on Friday (November 30).
    General Motors' Chevrolet also unveiled its first all-electric vehicle with the Chevrolet Spark EV, reflecting what the world's largest automaker calls a natural progression in the move to a more eco-friendly line-up.

    "For us, a progression to add this car to our fleet, is natural," said Pamela Fletcher, GM's Chief Engineer for Electric Cars. "Our idea is to expand on providing a host of solutions for people who truly want to be able to reduce their gas consumption, emissions free. So, I see that adoption rate, enabled by the Volt and enabled by the Spark and grow over time."
    Overall, there will be two dozen all-electric or plug-in electric models at the show, at least a dozen clean-diesel vehicles and nearly 20 vehicles achieving 40-plus mpg with highly advanced four-cylinder gasoline engines. Coverage of these technology-laden vehicles promises to be extensive thanks to a total of 25 planned press conferences and media registered from over 50 countries.
    Other show debuts represent virtually every popular segment on the road today, and the return of the iconic Jaguar nameplate to the true sports car market with the North American debut of the racy F-Type roadster.

    "To me, Jaguar, without a sports car, is just not Jaguar," said Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar global brand director. "That is what made the brand, that is what the brand was forged into the shape it became. Without this car, nothing else quite makes the sense that they make when we have this car on the road. It has been a long time coming but we are optimistic about it."
    The LA Auto Show is open to the public from November 30 - December 9.
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