Headlight News for the Week of 11-13-23: Dealer Shortage Over, Incentives Return and an LA Auto Show Preview
Auto Shows
Subaru, Toyota, Acura, Lucid and More Set to Debut at the 2023 LA Auto Show
Auto show season is kicking into gear again and all eyes will turn to Los Angeles next week. Among the big debuts scheduled for the 2023 LA Auto Show next week, Lucid confirmed it will launch its first SUV, dubbed Gravity, while Subaru is teasing “an all-new, fully redesigned vehicle.” Toyota is revealing the Crown SUV and there’ll be debuts from Hyundai, Acura, Kia and more. Headlight.News offers a preview of all the debuts in store.
Toyota Confirms Crown Crossover Will Debut at LA Auto Show
Toyota set out to redefine what a sedan is with the launch of the Crown model last year. Now, it wants to do it again with the Crown crossover that it’s confirmed will make its debut at the LA Auto Show on Nov. 14. Headlight.News has an advanced look.
Q&A: SEMA Marketing Chief RJ de Vera and the Changing Auto Aftermarket
It’s one of the biggest events in Las Vegas, and the annual SEMA Show will put the spotlight on the automotive aftermarket when it opens this week. Headlight.News spoke to SEMA’s marketing chief RJ DeVera to get a sense of how this traditionally performance-focused extravaganza is rapidly evolving along with the auto industry, adapting to the era of EVs, finding a new, more diverse audience and even adding a new consumer follow-up, the SEMA Fest, featuring Wiz Khalifa and Imagine Dragons.
Unstoppable? With its 40-Inch Off-Road Tires, That May Describe the GMC/AEV Sierra Grande Concept
Serious off-roaders have gotten plenty of new options lately, like the GMC Sierra AT4X. General Motors’ “professional grade” truck brand has been upgrading things with the of American Expedition Vehicles and, together, GMC and AEV are showing off what could be the “ultimate” package, the Sierra Grande Concept that will make its official debut at the SEMA Show next week.
Mazda Iconic SP Blends the Miata and RX-8 — and Adds a Rotary “Range-Extender”
Sports cars seem to be getting a lot of play at the Japan Mobility Show this year with several other automakers offering up sporty concepts. Mazda certainly got the memo, showing off the Mazda Iconic SP, which is clearly inspired by the company’s past and present. Get details at Headlight.News.
The Subaru Sport Mobility Concept: Back to the Future
A Subaru sports car concept isn’t as far-fetched as you might think. Just check out the Subaru Sport Mobility Concept at Headlight.News.
Honda Prelude Concept Debuts in Tokyo and Could Signal a Production EV or Hybrid
It’s been more than two decades since we last saw a new Honda Prelude roll into dealer showrooms. But while the automaker is officially calling the coupe debuting at the Japan Mobility Show a “concept,” there’s good reason to believe it’s a thinly disguised prototype, with a production Honda Prelude to follow in electrified form.
Toyota Reveals All-Electric EPU, Hints it May Enter EV Pickup Market
Toyota rolled out an all-electric pickup concept during the Japan Mobility Show. Sized slightly smaller than the automaker’s current, midsize Tacoma model, it offers a number of unique features, including a pass-through bed. Toyota hasn’t confirmed production plans but is widely expected to add an EV pickup as it ramps up its electrification program. Get details at Headlight.News.
Another Riddle from Toyota — Could This be the Rumored Crown Sport SUV?
The Toyota Crown doesn’t readily fit into any conventional category. It has the stance of a crossover, but boasts a three-box, four-door design — and Toyota prefers to label it a sedan. But it appears a second Crown model is in the works for next year and the automaker may label the hybrid, all-wheel-drive SUV the Crown Sport.
Japan Mobility Show Concepts, Tesla Stock Decline, UAW Strike and More on the Headlight News Podcast
This week’s Headlight News focuses on some of the concepts debuting at the Japan Mobility Show, how the drop in Tesla’s stock cost CEO Elon Musk $20 billion and, of course, the UAW strike drags on. We also look at the week ahead and review a new Kia crossover.
Here’s What’s Coming to the Nearly All-Electric Japan Mobility Show
It’s four years since the last Tokyo Motor Show took place, and even then, it was fading into obscurity. Organizers hope to give it a boost of adrenaline in an updated form — and with a new name. While foreign brands are largely absent, again, there’ll be lots happening at the new Japan Mobility Show as the nation’s automakers charge in with an assortment of all-electric concepts and production models.