Back to business at the LA Auto Show

The 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show kicked off Thursday, Nov. 21, with several new vehicle debuts and insight into how some brands are trying to meet the demands of the current market.

First things first: A lot of the show buzz has been centered on new electric vehicles, which we’ve come to expect at the LA event, given that California is the top market for EVs in the U.S. – with Hyundai soaking up a lot of the limelight.      

• Hyundai took the wraps off the much anticipated Ioniq 9. The sleek three-row, all-electric SUV – scheduled to go on sale – adds a full-size EV to the automaker’s product portfolio, a key sector in the electric vehicle sector, as detailed in Hyundai’s press release.  

• Genesis – Hyundai’s luxury counterpart – unveiled its new Electrified GV70 (also available as an ICE model). The all-electric GV70 features a new charge port that has an electric motor that makes it easier for customers to open and close. The charging port also now features a heating element to improve access in cold weather and a new lighting feature for dark environments.   

• Jeep provided more details on its new all-electric Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S – along with its plans for a more diversified powertrain strategy, as part of an aggressive turnaround plan detailed by Jeep’s new North American head, Bob Broderdorf, (more to come on that in the first installment of my new Car Dealership Guy column, “Consumer Connect.”)  

In addition to Jeep, Stellantis spotlighted its EV product strategy with Dodge, Chrysler, and Fiat, which debuted the new Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Edition, as the Italian brand looks to drum up more interest in its suite of Fiat EVs. Kia unveiled its 2025 Kia EV6 with longer-range variants and a new sportier variant of its EV9, the 2026 EV9 GT.    

Digging deeper: ICE vehicles soaked up a decent amount of the spotlight at the LA show. Could it be another sign of the looming uncertainty around the future of electric vehicles, especially beyond markets like California?  

• Volkswagen unveiled the new VW Tiguan, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which now makes 201 horsepower, up from the previous 184. The SUV also features several new safety features.

• Acura unveiled the first-ever 2025 Acura ADX, a compact SUV, equipped with a  direct-injected turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, with a price range starting in the mid $30,000s.    

• In another example of the star power of ICE vehicles at the LA show, the new all-electric 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ EV took a less prominent role at GM’s massive display (at least during media day), with vehicles like the Chevy Corvette and Suburban taking center stage at the automaker’s booth. Could it be another sign of how GM is looking to reposition its ICE offerings in the market?     

Other notable ICE vehicle auto-show displays include the new 2026 Kia Sportage, 2026 Honda Passport, and the off-road capable 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor. 

Final note: In recent years, many in the industry have grown a bit pessimistic about the business viability of auto shows for car companies and industry insiders. However, the 2024 LA event is a renewed testament to the power of auto shows beyond the sizzle of some hot, new vehicle that people flock to for an Instagram post, without any consideration of concern of how the vehicle impacts the business.

Become an automotive insider in just 5 minutes.

Get the weekly email that delivers transparent insights into the car market.

Join 86,000 others now, it's free:

Outdated payment systems are draining dealership profits.

Dealer Pay isn’t just a credit card terminal—it’s a fully tailored payment solution built to meet your dealership’s unique needs.

Our cutting-edge technology streamlines payments across your entire operation, from the service department to the cashier’s office. Say goodbye to hidden fees and manual work, and hello to detailed reporting, seamless integrations, and built-in compliance features.

Stop letting inefficient processors eat into your profits. With Dealer Pay, you’ll save time, cut costs, and boost financial performance—guaranteed.

Dealer Pay isn’t just another terminal; it’s the smarter way to manage payments across your entire operation.