LA Auto Show 2011 – ALL INSIDER ACCESS

The LA Auto Show kicked off  on Nov 16^th and 17^th  for the press and BRAND Insider has the inside scoop on this year’s auto show. BRANDInsider’s coverage will include world debuts, concept cars, and our must-see picks! BRANDInsider -are you in?

Keynote

The 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show started things off  with Mazda’s CEO Takashi Yamanouchi, giving the Motor Press Guild Keynote. Mr. Yamanouchi addressed Mazda’s recovery in the aftermath of the recent Japan earthquake and tsunamis. He also discussed  how the automotive industry as a whole has been adjusting to these economic times.

Debuts

This year’s auto show is going to be debuting more than 50 vehicles including unique concepts, world debuts, and new vehicles for North America.

Here are some of the debuts to look out for:

The new 2012 Honda CR-V:  according to Cars.com, the CR-V will be more fuel efficient, has a fresh new look, a complete interior and exterior redesign and gets better  fuel economy than previous CR-V models.

Another debut to look forward to is the Mastretta MXT. This is the first Mexican sports car that is projected to have a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine with 240 horsepower. Only 200 will be produced for the states with a base price of around $60,000.

Volvo is hoping to gain traction in the luxury market and will be debuting the Volvo Concept You.  The Concept You, is a luxury sedan concept designed around modern people and continues to pave the way for the Volvo Car Corporation’s global growth.

2012 Green Car of the Year

The Green Car Journal awarded the Honda Civic Natural Gas the 2012 Green Car of the Year award. The car is the cleanest-running internal combustion vehicle certified by the EPA, with a 48 MPGe highway fuel economy rating. The Civic Natural gas beat out the Ford Focus Electric, Mitsubishi i, Toyota Prius v, and the Volkswagen Passat TDI.

 

Courtesy: Auto Guide

What are you most excited to see at the LA Auto show?

Share your comments below!

 

Spotlight Honda & the New 2012 Honda CR-V

In this new episode of BRANDInsider, we shine the spotlight on one of the best-selling automotive brands in America, Honda. We interviewed Chris Martin, spokesperson for Honda to see what’s new and exciting for 2012 models which includes the CR-V, at the Orange County Auto Show.

Honda, like other Asian brands is looking to rebound from slow production and sales by focusing on giving customers better fuel economy and enhancing their driving experience. At the OC Auto Show, Honda debuted its 2012 Honda CR-V Concept giving the media and auto enthusiasts a glimpse of the styling direction for the CR-V which will be featured at the 2011 LA Auto Show later this November.

Courtesy: Honda CR-V Facebook

The CR-V has a fresh new look, a complete interior and exterior redesign and gets better fuel economy than previous CR-V models.  According to Chris Martin, Honda is “bumping up fuel economy and increasing value, two key benefits customers continue to recognize and expect from Honda”.

Honda continues to demonstrate its success and quest for product quality by winning seven JD Power and Associates awards including IQS, [Initial Quality Study] Awards. Honda is also responding to increasing customer demand for “green” vehicles with the new Honda Fit EV [100% electric], and a new plug-in hybrid. BRANDInsider covered the new Honda Fit EV last year at the LA Auto Show when it was introduced.

In addition to high quality and fuel efficiency, Honda is showing consumers that they want to be known as a safe brand. All of the Honda models are expected to have a 5-star safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and are expected to be top safety picks, IIHS Top Safety Picks.

With new technology, Honda has focused on enhancing the driving experience for their customers. The automaker has pushed technology to interact with devices used by their customers like mobile phones and Bluetooth® capable devices. One new feature coming to Honda’s vehicle line-up are sensors that give the driver feedback on how to enhance their driving experience while not distracting them. Honda’s goal is to make their technology intuitive for the driver, by building the vehicles around the driver’s needs.

The redesigned 2012 Honda CR-V production vehicle will be on display at this year’s LA Auto Show later this month.

We want to hear from you! What do you love about the Honda brand?