Next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, manufacturers will introduce more than 50 brand-new vehicles to the car-buying public.
Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari, McLaren, and Rolls-Royce are skipping the show altogether in favour of targeted driving and VIP events?an increasingly common decision by some of the world’s leading luxury brands. Aston Martin and Maserati, similarly, will wait until later shows to offer anything new.
But others, including Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Porsche, will offer significant world debuts.
“The luxury brands are cautiously optimistic this year,” said Matt DeLorenzo, the managing editor at Kelley Blue Book. “The market has hit a plateau, with the luxury segment still locked in at 12 per cent of the total market. But on the other hand, it’s a great time to be a luxury car buyer because the luxury market is full of options. The LA show is going to underscore that with plenty of new introductions.” Cadillac Escala Concept, the future design direction for the brand.

Big luxury SUVs and sedans aren’t going away

Luxury automakers will primarily be showing large sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, the last of which makes sense considering the fact that the US is the world’s largest SUV market. Much attention will go to Alfa Romeo, which will introduce its first SUV, the Stelvio, on Wednesday.

“The Stelvio is a big deal for Alfa Romeo if they really want to get a foothold ...