NEW FOR '02 BRANDS' NICHE APPEAL MAY KEEP CAR SALES UP.Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer Auto manufacturers' proficiency in selling cars last year has left them with a daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin task for the year ahead. Most carmakers posted record numbers in 2001, spurred by zero-percent financing and attractive incentive deals designed to keep shoppers spending in the face of a horrible economic climate. A near-record 17.1 million cars rolled off lots last year, but with so many customers taking advantage of these deals, 2002 might prove tough for manufacturers. Nonetheless, at the second preview day of the Greater L.A. Auto Show An auto show, or motor show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is commonly attended by automobile manufacturers. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year. on Friday, companies were upbeat about their prospects for the coming year. By combining new product innovations and more attractive buying incentives, manufacturers are betting they can still maintain relatively strong footing over last year's big gains. ``There was some pull-ahead because of the zero-percent financing,'' said Jim O'Connor Jim O'Connor is an American actor and former host of the show The Secret Life Of.... Jim O' Connor first appeared on the Food Network as the host of "All-American Festivals". He replaced Tyler Florence as host. , president of Ford Motor Co.'s Ford Division. ``But it's still a strong market. The real wild card's going to be the incentives. No one really knows where it will end up.'' This hinges, it seems, on keeping buzz surrounding new models. With this in mind, Acura rolled out both an improved CL coupe and its ultra-sleek NSX NSX New Sportscar eXperimental (concept name for Acura vehicle; originally NS-X) NSX Namespace Extension (Windows Shell Programming) NSX N Syndrome NSX Network and Security Experts NSX New Sports Experimental coupe. Coming off a year with a record 170,000 units sold, the company thinks its hot new products will draw enough customers to continue growth. ``We are enjoying tremendous momentum and we are absolutely committed to maintaining it,'' said Dennis Manns, Acura's assistant vice president of national sales. ``So every product you do a good job with lifts the brand. If people like the new cars, it's a halo that helps everything.'' This certainly fits the NSX. Though the $89,000 speedster speed·ster n. 1. One who drives very fast. 2. A fast car. is clearly a niche product, Manns said it sold out completely last year and that dealers are already setting up waiting lists. And with its 175-mph top speed and redesigned race-car looks, the car has already generated healthy murmuring among enthusiasts. The relaunched Mini Cooper also made its North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. debut Friday, bringing American consumers their first taste of the heralded vehicle. A modernized version of the tiny British classic, the BMW-backed car has garnered scores of accolades in Europe and sold briskly. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Jack Pitney, the brand's general manager, the key to the Mini's American success lies in keeping it hot and in short supply. ``If this becomes a fad, it'll be the death of Mini,'' he said after the unveiling of the racy rac·y adj. rac·i·er, rac·i·est 1. Having a distinctive and characteristic quality or taste. 2. Strong and sharp in flavor or odor; piquant or pungent. 3. Risqué; ribald. 4. two-seater. ``We want there to always be one less than what people want. It needs to be coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. so it will last.'' Though no official announcement has been made on the price of the car, which will be available at seven Los Angeles dealerships in March, Pitney estimated it would begin at $20,000. A beefier, souped-up Cooper S will start in the $23,000 range, boasting quick acceleration and a host of safety features. Other manufacturers tried to create their own hype, which made for some very strange moments at the show. Mazda unveiled its redesigned MPV (MusicPhotoVideo) A playlist standard for music, image and video collections introduced in 2002 by the Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA). An "MPV Writer" is software that creates the playlist, and an "MPV Reader" is software that can discover and read it. minivan, and went to extreme highlights to show the blocky vehicle's sporty side, heralding its ``soul of a sports car.'' In addition to showing a video featuring the stout van racing alongside sporty Miatas, President and Chief Executive Officer Charlie Hughes raced remote control cars through the crowd to drum up excitement. ``Where is it written that minivans have to be boring?'' he asked rhetorically. ``Just because people hit a certain lifestyle where they need a minivan doesn't mean they have to walk away from their enthusiasm for cars.'' GREATER LA AUTO SHOW WHAT: Greater L.A. Auto Show WHEN: Today through Jan. 13 Today: 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday: 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. WHERE: Los Angeles Convention Center The Los Angeles Convention Center (abbreviated LACC) is a convention center in downtown Los Angeles. The LACC hosts annual events such as the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, and was best known to video games fans as host to E3 until its cessation in 2006. 1201 S. Figueroa St.COST: $8 adults $5 seniors (weekdays only) Children 12 and under are free CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) The Mini Cooper S, a BMW-backed modernized version of the tiny British classic, makes is North American debut Friday, above, at the Greater L.A. Auto Show, drawing intrigued looks from car enthusiasts, below. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News Box: GREATER LA AUTO SHOW (see text) |
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