Chevy & Ford. The Hoof Beats and Heartbeats on the 2019 LA Auto Show Floor
written by john weckworth
photo: John Weckworth
I had the chance to roam the floors of the 2019 LA Auto Show this week. Most of the big players in the automotive industry rolled out their latest and greatest offerings. There was so much to take in if you're a car enthusiast it is a must-see. I've been to the show a handful of times but this time I was there to see two cars in particular. The Chevrolet Corvette C8 and the Mustang Mach-E. They represent two very different visions of the future for the American car industry. Chevrolet is aiming to give their performance car fan base what they want, at an almost too good to be true price. Ford is offering up something they hope will successfully take them into a new electric vehicle market segment with the tried and true Mustang moniker. Both are a bit controversial for different reasons. The Corvette, for its mid-engine configuration and what some feel are Ferrari derivative styling. I like the move to a mid-engine and the styling, but I'll get to that. The Mustang Mach-E has rubbed some Mustang die-hards the wrong way by throwing the iconic Mustang name behind a Crossover SUV. To me, it's just a name, a name that isn't really all that sacred. You don't have to look too far into Ford's past to see how fast and loose they've played with the Mustang name. It's a huge step up from the late '70s when the Mustang was a Pinto with pony badges.
I'll cut to the chase, in-person both of these cars are very cool to behold. These days we are bombarded with promotional images that are so disconnected from reality and photoshopped to the point of being ridiculous. Until I can see a car with my own two eyes it's just a marketing abstraction. Now that I've seen them both here is my brief take.
photo: John Weckworth
The Chevrolet Corvette C8 to my eye looks even better in person. Every aspect of the styling looks cohesive and is true to the Chevrolet design language. From the images I saw online I thought the back of the car seemed disconnected from the rest of the design in an attempt to shoehorn in some Camaro callbacks to give it a more "Chevy" feel. In-person, seeing it in the round, it all makes sense. Once these start hitting the road and people can really take in what Chevy has accomplished here, I don't think they are going to be able to make them fast enough to keep up with demand. Chevrolet didn't have a Corvette on the convention floor I could get in to see the interior so I can't speak to the inside of the car. All that said, I want one and I think after seeing one sitting next to you in traffic you will want one too.
photo: John Weckworth
photo: John Weckworth
The Mustang Mach-E has been announced more recently and I didn't go into viewing it with as many preconceived notions as I had with the Corvette. But the initial thoughts I had pre-viewing the Mach-E were not very favorable. To me, the SUV and Crossover market is very one-note. If you strip the badges off of the major automakers' offerings, most people couldn't tell them apart. The Mustang Mach-E is something different. It undoubtedly takes a lot of its styling cues from the current generation Mustang coupe. What it does bring to the conversation is that it has its own style when compared to most of the SUV / Crossover market. Take off the badges and it is still undoubtedly Ford. I won't say they hit the nail on the head because I honestly don't think anyone was pining for a modern four-door Mustang. But for a car no one asked for, it makes a great first impression in person.
