US car makers in low spirits at LA auto show

By Dan Strumpf  |   2008-11-21  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

CHRYSLER and General Motors are still showing off their newest vehicles at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the United States, but their displays were quiet on Wednesday while Asian and European companies unveiled new models that will likely chip away at the US market share.

Casting a shadow on the annual event's glitz was the absence of press conferences or vehicle debuts from GM or Chrysler, whose top executives were in Washington pleading for US$25 billion in loans they say they need simply to stay in business.

No 'razzle-dazzle'

"Most of the events here seem to be not a lot of razzle-dazzle it's more of a somber, 'Here's the car, we know we're in tough times, we're going to make it through,'" said David Champion, director of the auto test center for Consumer Reports, a US magazine.

General Motors Corp's space showcased its Chevrolet Volt, the extended-range electric vehicle expected to go on sale in late 2010.

Chrysler LLC's display included its three electric prototypes - a Dodge, Jeep and Town & Country EV - one of which it plans to put in showrooms around the same time.

Normally they would have a stronger presence, unveiling important new models and concept cars and sending top executives to meet the press.

"Quite frankly, I applaud them," said Al Castignetti, a Nissan vice president. "They are in survival mode, and if I were in survival mode I'd do the same."

A year ago, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz introduced a new hybrid Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, its first full-size hybrid truck and the concept version of the now much-anticipated Volt. In 2006, Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner was the keynote speaker, and the company unveiled a hydrogen-powered concept vehicle.

Chrysler last year introduced hybrid versions of its full-size Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen sport utility vehicles.