**[LA Auto Show] Large Image of Ioniq 9 at Entrance… Hyundai Motor Group’s Largest Exhibition Space**
Fierce competition for the largest market in North America… Tesla’s robotaxi also catches attention
**(Los Angeles=News1) Reporter Lee Dong-hee** – The 2024 LA Auto Show opened at the Los Angeles Convention Center on the morning of the 21st (local time). The venue, covering about 93,000 square meters, was a microcosm of the U.S. auto market. Most of the major brands active in the U.S. market participated, showcasing their new cars and flagship models, revealing the intense competitive atmosphere.
The domestic company Hyundai Motor Group also set up separate exhibition spaces for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Their space was the largest by company standards, signaling their commitment to the North American market, the world’s largest automotive market.
The LA Auto Show, a representative motor show in the western U.S., started in 1907 and celebrated its 117th event this year. It opened with a media day and will be available to the general public from the 22nd until December 1st.
Hyundai Motor opened the media day. They prepared an exhibition space of about 4,193 square meters near the entrance of the South Hall at the Convention Center. They exhibited a total of 42 vehicles, including 15 eco-friendly cars like the brand’s first large electric SUV, the Ioniq 9, and the hydrogen-electric concept car, “IniCeum.”
Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Head of the North American Region, José Muñoz, appeared at the press conference in the Ioniq 9. In his remarks, he introduced the Ioniq 9 as a three-row electric SUV manufactured in the U.S., aiming for a minimum driving range of 300 miles across all trims.
As Hyundai unveiled the Ioniq 9 and IniCeum, the attending global media were busy capturing the moment with their cameras. The Ioniq 9 also drew significant attention at its world premiere event held at the Goldstein House in Beverly Hills, LA, on the previous day (20th). The Ioniq 9 is slated for mass production in the first quarter of next year, with plans to expand sales from the domestic market to the U.S. and Europe in the second quarter.
Following Hyundai, Kia held a press conference at the West Hall, introducing their high-performance large electric SUV, the EV9 GT, an improved EV6 model, and the new Sportage. All are key models sold in the U.S. market.
Kia also announced that the K4, a compact sedan, has been selected as a finalist in the sedan category for the “2025 North American Car of the Year” (NACTOY). Besides the K4, Hyundai’s new Santa Fe also made it to the final list in the utility category of NACTOY.
Hyundai Motor Group created the largest exhibition space at this LA Auto Show. The exhibition spaces for the three brands, including Genesis, span 7,491 square meters. The total number of vehicles on display is 77.
Hyundai also prepared an indoor track about 400 meters long next to their exhibition area, offering passengers a ride experience in the Ioniq 9. Though limited in experiencing driving performance due to the short indoor drive, it was evident that the interior space was top-notch, as Hyundai claimed.
Major Japanese brands like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan also participated in the LA Auto Show alongside Hyundai and Kia. Toyota, ranked second in the U.S. market, created the largest exhibition space for a single brand at the show. Honda showcased their expanding lineup of electric vehicle models, including the Prologue.
General Motors (GM), Ford, and Stellantis also arranged large booths to defend their home turf. Stellantis’ Jeep presented the new electric Wagoneer and the next-generation platform “STLA Frame.”
Tesla also participated in this LA Auto Show. Holding half of the U.S. electric vehicle market share, Tesla displayed the attention-grabbing Cybertruck and their unmanned robotaxi, unveiled for the first time last month.