By Evginya Lautt
Graphic By Maya Uribe
The 2024 LA Auto Show really showed a look toward the future of mobility. As a student journalist for The CI View, I was able to get hands-on exposure to the newest developments, sustainable technologies and design trends morphing the auto industry.
Tesla Cybertruck: more like a cyber flop.
The long-anticipated Tesla Cybertruck left a very mixed bag of impressions. Its angular design is undeniably striking but at the same time unfinished, like a prototype and not a production model. The interior is minimalist; it feels crampy and lacks the premium materials one would expect from Tesla. Everything in the Tesla is required with electricity. That means you will not be able to open the doors in case of an electrical failure. Many people had a problem with opening the doors as it is not clear where the door button is to open the door. Meanwhile, the Cybertruck’s usability was questioned as awkward entry and exit points showed that many persons will not be in a position to fit inside a cyber truck. Another thing about the cyber truck is that if you’re over 6 ft, tall you are going to be having really limited visibility. This was visible because some people over 6 feet when they sat down even in the cyber truck, experienced visibility problems.
Hyundai, Volkswagen, and the Electrification Drive
Hyundai and Volkswagen were vocal about the electrification drive. Hyundai’s practical 2026 Santa Fe lacked premiumness against its rivals. On the other hand, Hyundai’s luxury division, Genesis, came out strong with refined interiors, putting the latest in-car technology into practice. The Buzz from Volkswagen reinvents the legendary VW Bus into a modern electric vehicle, balancing perfectly between memory lanes and electric novelty with a three row suv with lots of leg room and a quiet ride.
Leadership of Toyota in Hybrid Technology and Subaru’s Focus on Community
Meanwhile, Toyota remained the leader in the Hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology with the introduction of the prototype plug-in hybrid Sienna. And Subaru held a dog adoption event in their booth in order to keep showing the brand interest for the community involvement and social responsibility.
Rides
Eliana does have rides, which they give away from different car manufacturers, including Jeep with their outdoor theme ride showing the rugged terrain that Jeep goes through; the Volkswagen bus, which is an SUV and has three rows showing the quietness of the electric vehicle while showing its acceleration in the indoor course; Hyundai has a course showing how fast their cars can go with the electric and also forward with their Ford bronco being displayed as a mini version of what she was offering. No, if you are under 18, you may not be able to do what Jeep has been offering because you actually need a driver’s license to be scanned. Others like Volkswagen made it that you have to be over 18 in order for you to ride.
Subaru involvement with the community
Subaru even though lacking a lot of improvements and innovations with their competitors all having all wheel drive and also now going into more hybrids Subaru has been falling behind when it comes to that as Subaru is not committed to making hybrids as other brands such as Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen, etc. therefore at the show they did make it up with showing dogs that are available for adoption and therefore people were able to adopt dogs at the LA auto show now this may not have to deal with cars and yes it is not dealing with automobiles which are lacking in technology as they are using older tech that other companies have moved on from.
Luxury and Sustainability: Genesis, Acura and Porsche
Genesis and Acura bucked traditional notions of luxury with style and more sustainable fare. Porsche’s electric Taycan Cross Turismo epitomized the best of both worlds in performance and green thinking.
