LA Auto Show: Stupid is, stupid does

The buzz amongst consumers?

I spent a few hours at the LA Auto Show this weekend to get a feel for consumer reaction to the show and to specific vehicles, particularly hybrid vehicles. Obviously, consumers don't go to auto shows only looking for vehicles they would buy, they also go to live out fantasies of Ferrari ownership, or Rolls Royce luxury. So, following the crowds isn't always indicative of real world consumerism.

Nonetheless, I did notice a few interesting things. For instance, when it came to Ford and GM, neither the new Fusion hybrid nor the Chevy Volt most piqued consumer interest, instead attendees flocked to the Mustang and the Camaro.

In fact, the Fusion hybrid seemed to garner little interest, maybe because it looks just like, well, a Fusion.

Likewise, the Saturn Flextreme - built on the same E Flex Platform as the Volt - seemed to draw more interest than the Volt, perhaps because of its more unusual design. Still, the Volt was much more popular than the Fusion hybrid.

Again, auto shows might not be good barometers of consumer interest, however, if automakers did use the LA Show to help determine future consumer wants and desires, performance and gas-guzzling would still rule.