The 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show (LA Auto Show) is right around the corner and we know you’re itching to see the cars that are lined up this year. The LA Auto Show is now on its 112th year and it appears that 2019 would be a record-breaking year in terms of vehicle debuts. The highest number of debuts recorded throughout the show’s history was in 2014 when it successfully premiered 65 new models—the highest since 1907. This year, the organizers claim that they will beat the 2014 record by introducing more than 65 new vehicles.

A Brief History of the LA Auto Show

Before you get too stoked, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane to tell the story of how much the LA Auto Show changed over the years.

It all began in 1907 at Morley’s Skating Rink, where the first Los Angeles Auto Show held a 99-vehicle display. As the automotive industry grew throughout the years, the organizers were pushed to change locations. There were four location changes throughout the 1920s alone but the show continued showing success in the ‘30s. Despite the positive performance for two decades, organizers experienced a major downfall brought by the Second World War. The LA Auto Show went on hiatus from 1940 to 1951.

The LA Auto Show was revived and reopened in 1952, filling the Pan Pacific Auditorium with 152 vehicles on display, including models from international manufacturers. The event schedule was revised in 2006, which made the show run from the last week of November until the first week of December. This year, the LA Auto Show will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center located at 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

Why get excited about the 2019 LA Auto Show?

Witnessing more than 65 new vehicles being unveiled in front of your eyes is more than enough to be excited about this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. But if you need more reasons to convince yourself that the 2019 LA Auto Show will be one of the most exciting vehicle expos all year round, then allow us to enumerate some for you.

1. Enjoy 10 days of activity-packed show.

The LA Auto Show’s schedule is from November 18 to December 1. With the AutoMobility LA happening in the first four days, the general public has 10 days (that’s from November 22 to December 1) to drool all over the cars displayed at the LA Convention Center. AutoMobility LA is the product of merging the Connected Car Expo (CCE) and Press & Trade Days in 2016.

2. Be one of the first to see both global and North American vehicle debuts.

If you want to be the first to share actual photos of upcoming vehicles among your peers, then you definitely have to attend the show. Get up close with over 65 world- and North American-debuting cars and take a selfie with them. Nothing’s better than having close-up encounters of your dream cars—well, aside from actually owning them.

Last year, we got to see a superb lineup of cars that glimmered before our eyes, as well as the rest of the world. Here are some of the notable vehicles that debuted at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show:

• 2019 Honda Passport
• 2019 BMW X7
• 2020 Hyundai Palisade
• 2020 Kia Soul
• 2020 Mazda 3
• 2020 Toyota Corolla
• 2020 Lincoln Aviator
• 2020 Jeep Gladiator
• 2020 Porsche 911
• Audi E-Tron GT Concept
• Rivian R1T

3. Test drive vehicles from your favorite car manufacturers.

Apart from just viewing production cars that are going to be on display, visitors may also test drive select vehicles from their favorite makes. Among the manufacturers that announced test drive activities are Acura, Honda, Fiat, Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Tesla, among others. If you want a first-hand experience of your dream car’s technology, then the LA Auto Show is the perfect place to have it. Test drive venues are along Figueroa Dr., Gilbert Lindsay Plaza, North Plaza, Pico Dr., and at Ford’s exhibit in the West Hall.

4. Enjoy viewing nearly 1,000 vehicles on display.

The car manufacturers that will participate at the 2019 LA Auto Show will be divided in groups. 19 car makes were given the Los Angeles Convention Center’s South Hall to fill, while the 11, including Porsche in the Petree Hall, were given the West Hall. Meanwhile, Tesla was given the Gilbert Lindsay Plaza to showcase its vehicles. The 1,000 vehicles that will be displayed consist of production models, concept cars, debuts, as well as customized and exotic vehicles. Here’s a map of the 2019 LA Auto Show floor for easy navigation:

What to Watch Out For at the 2019 LA Auto Show

Among the main reasons why people visit the LA Auto Show are the surprises car manufacturers have in store during the event. Concept cars and debuts are the most anticipated activities during the 10-day event and we have a list of the notable cars you need to watch out for.

1. Keep an eye out for BMW, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Audi, and Porsche.

According to a press release published on laautoshow.com, brandsBMW, Hyundai, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen have huge surprises in store for visitors.

The press release didn’t disclose which models will highlight each make’s booth but reports circulating online state that BMW is set to debut the 2020 M2 CS, while Toyota could take the wraps off the 2021 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid and 2021 Mirai. Nissan, on the other hand, is expected to introduce a new generation Sentra.

Ford also has its version of party poppers, as it is believed to debut the Mustang-based electric crossover SUV. The two German car manufacturers Audi and Porsche are also set to make the headlines. Audi will debut the all-new full-electric E-Tron Sportback and a new line of the RS performance models, which includes the RS 6 Avant. Meanwhile details about Porsche’s debut is still unavailable as of this writing.

2. Alfa Romeo will kill two birds with one stone.

The 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show is an important event for Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo. Alfa Romeo will reveal the 2020 Giulia and 2020 Stelvio luxury vehicles for the first time. Both models were spied testing earlier this year and information about them has been leaked months ago.

3. Hyundai will be generous with five new vehicles.

Hyundai’s surprise at this year’s show will be made up of five debuts and concept cars alongside its production vehicle lineup. All vehicles that will appear at the show will showcase the latest internal combustion engine, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric powertrains.

4. Volkswagen will jump into the party with a concept preview.

Volkswagen has already confirmed the global premiere of its all-electric concept. Last month, online sources confirmed a new ID EV concept is set to debut at the Petersen Auto Museum on November 19, which is not part of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Is this the same all-electric concept that the LA Auto Show press release claims? 

Aside from an all-electric concept vehicle, Volkswagen will also hold the auto show debut of the Atlas Cross Sport. The German carmaker claims more debut is planned for visitors during the show, so stay tuned. 

Other makes that you need to watch out for include Lexus, Mazda, Subaru, Kia, and Bollinger. Lexus will debut multiple vehicles but its highlight is a global premiere. Mazda will introduce all-new and refreshed 2020 models, while Kia and Subaru are slated to hold debuts for their press conferences. Two Subarus will make their North American premieres.