We asked executives in town for the L.A. Auto Show a few questions about cars, driving and the future of the automotive industry.
Here’s what Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen had to say:
What current motorized vehicle (made by some other company than your own) do you particularly admire?
I suppose I will convey some of my traditionalist sense. My favorite plane is the Boeing 747-800i, which is the last of the genre and a magnificent aircraft.
Advertisement
What historic car or truck do you wish you owned?
A 1955 Cadillac Series 62 convertible in red with red and white interior.
1/49
The Bollinger Motors B1, an all-electric utility truck, on display outside the 2017 L.A. Auto Show at the L.A. Convention Center.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
2/49
Times staff writer Charles Fleming test drives a Acrimoto SRK.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
3/49
Entry doors at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show. The event opens to the public Friday.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
4/49
Inside the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
5/49
The West Hall at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
6/49
Ford GT
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
7/49
Acura NSX GT3 Carbon
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
8/49
Toyota FT-AC concept
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
9/49
Subaru Crosstrek
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
10/49
Mazda Vision Coupe concept
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
11/49
Nissan Rogue in Star Wars livery
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
12/49
Tesla Model 3
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
13/49
Tesla Model 3
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
14/49
The falcon wing doors on the Tesla Model X.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
15/49
Attendees in the Porche area of the auto show.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
16/49
Porche Carrera T
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
17/49
Porche 911
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
18/49
Porche Panamera Hybrid
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
19/49
BMW i8 Roadster
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
20/49
Volkswagen ID Buzz concept
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
21/49
Volkswagen ID Buzz concept
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
22/49
Volkswagen ID Buzz concept
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
23/49
At the Chevrolet booth
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
24/49
At the Toyota booth
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
25/49
At the Chevrolet booth
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
26/49
Sarah Gao poses for a picture beneath a Ford GT.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
27/49
Two attendees view a virtual reality movie, “The Future of Tomorrow.”
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
28/49
Girls’ Pit Stop in the Garage at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
29/49
A man walks around the Burning Rubber store area in the Garage at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
30/49
The Prestone custom car display in the Garage.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
31/49
Custom cars on display in the Garage.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
32/49
Lance Chikasawa walks past the Prestone custom car display in the Garage.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
33/49
Bicycles on display at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
34/49
GMC Sierra all-mountain concept
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
35/49
The new Kia Sorento
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
36/49
Kia unveils the 2019 Sorento.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
37/49
Honda Clarity
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
38/49
The Mitsubishi booth
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
39/49
Jesus Gonzalez details cars in the Galpin Hall of Customs.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
40/49
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
41/49
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
42/49
Cars on display at the Kia booth.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
43/49
A Ford racing driver made out of Lego blocks.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
44/49
The Volvo booth
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
45/49
The Chevrolet Corvette ZR01.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
46/49
The Chevrolet Corvette ZR01.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
47/49
The 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
48/49
The 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
49/49
The 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
What’s the top speed you’ve ever traveled in a car and where did that take place?
I drove 321 km/h (199 mph) on the high-speed oval test track in Wolfsburg.
What’s the biggest challenge currently facing the automotive industry?
The biggest challenge is how to respond to changing consumer preferences, particularly when it comes to retail distribution. I think the business model of having fixed stores and demanding that customers come to us is ready for disruption.
What’s the most exciting change currently at work in the automotive industry?
The most exciting change is the convergence of technology through autonomous driving and the whole host of opportunities offered by zero emissions propulsion systems. I think as those come together, the companies that master them best are going to have a very compelling advantage and I think that we will see a change in the ranking of automotive companies as a result.
Advertisement
If the future offered flawless autonomous driving, would you still keep a car for weekend driving?
Absolutely, because real luxury means the freedom to choose. I think that for Cadillac, as a maker of exhilarating drivers’ cars, but also luxury automobiles, we want to give customers the choice of being driven or when the mood takes them, to do the driving themselves.
Charles Fleming writes about automobiles and motorcycles for the Los Angeles Times’ Business section. He also writes the urban hiking column LA Walks. A former staff writer for Newsweek, Variety and the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, he is the author of the Los Angeles Times bestseller “High Concept: Don Simpson and the Hollywood Culture of Excess,” the New York Times bestseller “My Lobotomy,” and “Secret Stairs, A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles” and its sequel, “Secret Walks: A Walking Guide to the Hidden Trails of Los Angeles.”
