This year’s LA Auto Show kicked off strong with automakers showcasing their 2012 and concept vehicles during their press conferences. Having attended the auto show for the past 6 years, the trend of vehicles being conceptualized and designed have been centered more on economically and environmentally conscious style cars from hybrids to electric vehicles to moderate/low gas consumption and more competitive pricing. So, we were able to catch up with some of the hottest automakers such as Volkswagen, Dodge, and Nissan to hear what they had to say. Host Jordan Havili met with some of the representatives of the car brands to share with us why they’re hot and the many features that are included in the new models which makes their product lines unique and competitive.

What does that mean to the average urban island consumer? Well, there’s more vehicles out there that are designed for our needs from people in Hawaii to those of us on the mainland and getting hip with the vehicles and understanding what will work for us is really WhatItDo. I invite all you urban island consumers out there to pay attention to the reasons why these cars are WhatItDo.

-Article Written by: Elizabeth Lavulo

Nintendo CEO Reginald Fils-Aime and West Coast Customs founder and owner Ryan Friedlinghaus unveiled their joint collaboration in creating a real-life Mario Kart and showcased it for the first time at the LA Auto Show 2011. In 1992, Nintendo released their very first Mario Brothers Kart game and since then have sold over 80 million copies to date. So, Nintendo has been putting consumers behind the wheels for nearly two decades. Fils-Aime states, ”Consumers today are all about customization and wanting to create a vehicle that suits them.” Well, Mario Kart 3 does just that and on Dec. 4, it will be available in stores across the country.

This was the first time Nintendo has ever appeared at any auto show and with the release of the new Mario Kart 7 video game, the LA Auto Show was the perfect platform to promote the new video game and this new venture. West Coast Customs is known for taking an ordinary vehicle that’s running on it’s last legs and re-creating and re-designing a whole new style to the vehicle. In this case, they brought the digital world of Mario’s Kart 7 to life and the WhatItDo was in the building to bring it to you. In the actual video game, you can design your own kart before you begin to race it and host Jordan Havili got to test it out and catch up with representatives of Nintendo and West Coast Customs to see what they had to say.

The LA Auto Show this year has kicked off with a bang and the media attention that this event has stirred is unbelievable! It has been packed and intense. As media journalists from all over the world gather together at each manufacturer’s section to witness the unveiling of over 50 vehicles being introduced to the consumer market in the coming year, it is apparent that the current state of the economy has its effects but the wheels keep rolling.

Impressive car manufacturers that lead in sales are Hyundai and Kia and their press conferences were over-the-top as their executives spoke with confidence when they introduced their car lines for 2012. Not to mention, the big three from Detroit, MI such as GM, Chrysler, and Ford were also in attendance, and they all showcased a product line that keeps each of them strong and competitive. Each automaker has brought their A-game to the table with their interior and exterior features including engines that are fuel efficient and environmentally savvy.

Tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 17) will be a unique and interesting day when Nintendo shows their presence by unveiling a unique project that they have collaborated on with West Coast Customs. Integrating gaming with a “pimped out” vehicle should definitely bring many inquiring eyes to their press conference. This is the first time Nintendo will participate in an auto show to unveil their new “galactic” concept and that is definitely worth checking out to see WhatItDo!

-Article Written by: Elizabeth Lavulo

LA Auto ShowNov. 18th-27th 2011

The Los Angeles Auto Show will surpass 50 vehicle debuts when it opens Nov. 16 & 17 for press and Nov. 18-27 for the public. As a bright spot in the overall economy, the auto industry continues its momentum at the L.A. Show, highlighted by more than 22 manufacturer press conferences. It will be clear that automakers have invested significantly to deliver vehicles consumers want, featuring an unprecedented number of technological advancements, improved performance and design, all while decreasing carbon emissions. In addition to the 1,000 new vehicles at the show, a significant number of manufacturers have upgraded exhibit spaces and added enhanced features with more interactive content and experiences. There will also be more than a half-dozen test drives that put consumers in the seats and on the streets in some new vehicles on select days.

Notable this year will be a significant increase in fuel efficiency across the board in all categories. Nearly 20 highly-efficient, 40-mpg-plus vehicles, using internal combustion engines, such as the world debut of the Chevrolet Spark, will be at the Show. A renaissance is underway for the four-cylinder engine, which in an era of rising gas prices and concern for fuel economy has become a powerplant of choice for many automakers. Completely reengineered to deliver the power and torque normally associated with larger displacement engines, four cylinder designs are not just powering compacts, but finding their way into multiple platforms. Most notably, the hotly contested small crossover segment will feature two head-to-head competitive world debuts-the Ford Escape and Honda CRV. Mazda also has a new entry in this category with the North American debut of its all-new CX-5 crossover.

Underscoring that many solutions exist for reducing carbon emissions, a whole pack of electric vehicles are in or entering production and will be highlighted at the show, including Mitsubishi’s all-electric i, the Ford Focus Electric, BMW’s i3 Concept, CODA’s Sedan, Nissan’s LEAF and an import from Croatia, the DOK-ING XD. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids continue to grow and highlights at the show include the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, the new Honda Civic Hybrid and the updated Honda Insight Hybrid. BMW will also have its groundbreaking, i8 plug-in hybrid sports coupe concept.

More than half of the 50 L.A. Show debuts fall in the performance and luxury vehicle category like the Audi R8 GT Spyder, Porsche 911 and Jaguar C-X16 sports car concept. Bentley is returning to Los Angeles this year, premiering the marque’s 2012 Continental GTC ultra-luxury convertible. The show will also feature the BMW M5, the fifth-generation edition of the sports sedan, now powered by a 4.4 liter, turbocharged, V8 engine; the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster, an open-top power statement with a 563-horsepower, 6.2-liter engine producing 479 lb-ft of torque; and what GM is calling the world’s most powerful production convertible, the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, boasting 580 hp produced by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. The AMG Roadster and Camaro convertible are just two of at least a half dozen convertibles debuting at the show.

The performance and luxury category is also noteworthy this year for being a showcase for new entries into the segment, including Hyundai’s continued push upward with the premiere of the 2012 Azera, as well as the U.S. debut of entirely new manufacturers, like the Mastretta MXT from Mexico. And, showing performance attributes are crossing traditional lines, the Fiat 500 Abarth demonstrates the further evolution of the once-overlooked compact category. A modified, 135-horsepower version of the recently reborn Fiat 500, the 500 Abarth, will join other “super” compact debuts including the Ford Fiesta ST and the Mazda3 SKYACTIV.

High-tech systems have become one of the most important features of the car itself. New technology to look for at the show includes advanced applications of Bluetooth, radar sensors,embedded telephony and cloud computing. In use, these high-tech systems give drivers hands-free access to personal data, communications, audio entertainment, social networking and advanced safety measures previously unimaginable. New technology developments unveiled at the show are expected from Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen and others.

For more information on the LA Auto Show, check out their official website and/or follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

Press Release provided by:Jessica Schmidt / Rogers Ruder Finn
*article photos courtesy of Rogers Ruder Finn

2009 L.A. Auto Show
Take a peek at some of the new Mazdas. Click to watch the video.

Highlights from the L.A. Auto Show: KMAX will help you get a closer look at the latest Mazda hatchbacks to hit the market, like the Mazdaspeed 3 packed with a blazing 265 HP, or the economical 2011 Mazda2.

Watch the video to get all the details.

2009 L.A. Auto Show
Review of the Subaru WRX and STI. Click to watch the video.

Highlights from the L.A. Auto Show: Take a look as KMAX and Joe talk about two of the Latest hot hatchbacks from Subaru; the2010 Subaru WRX, and the 2010 Subaru STI Limited.

Watch the video to get all the details.

2009 L.A. Auto Show
An inside look on the Subaru Hybrid concept car. Click to watch the video.

Highlights from the L.A. Auto Show: KMAX and Dominic from Subaru take a closer look at this insane futuristic Hybrid Concept car from Subaru.

Watch the video to get all the details.

2009 L.A. Auto Show
Highlights from the Volkswagen collection. Click to watch the video.

Highlights from the L.A. Auto Show: Check out the latest review as KMAX meets with Sean Maynard, Public Relations from Volkswagen, and talk about all the latest and greatest like the hot 2010 Jetta TDI Cup Edition, and the ‘Final Edition’ of the new-style Beetle before they get redesigned again.

Watch the video to get all the details.

2009 L.A. Auto Show
Details on the the Suzuki Kizashi. Click to watch the video.

Highlights from the L.A. Auto Show: Get with KMAX as he talks to Dave from Suzuki about their brand-new 2010 Suzuki Kizashi.

Watch the video to get all the details.

2009 L.A. Auto Show
Highlights from the Hyundai collection. Click to watch the video.

Highlights from the L.A. Auto Show: Get an insider’s look on the press floor with KMAX as he checks out the latest cars and interviews Hyundai’s North American Design Chief, Phil, about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata’s bold new look.

Watch the video to get all the details.