We asked executives in town for the LA Auto Show a few questions about cars, driving and the future of the automotive industry.
Here’s what Kia Motors’ product planning vice president, Orth Hedrick, told us:
What’s your daily driver, and how long is your average commute?
I have been a longtime Rio owner, and I love it. I have a fairly long commute (35 miles), so the Rio’s great MPG really pays off.
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The Bollinger Motors B1, an all-electric utility truck, on display outside the 2017 L.A. Auto Show at the L.A. Convention Center.
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Times staff writer Charles Fleming test drives a Acrimoto SRK.
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Entry doors at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show. The event opens to the public Friday.
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Inside the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
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The West Hall at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
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Ford GT
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Acura NSX GT3 Carbon
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Toyota FT-AC concept
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Subaru Crosstrek
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Mazda Vision Coupe concept
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Nissan Rogue in Star Wars livery
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Tesla Model 3
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Tesla Model 3
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The falcon wing doors on the Tesla Model X.
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Attendees in the Porche area of the auto show.
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Porche Carrera T
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Porche 911
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Porche Panamera Hybrid
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BMW i8 Roadster
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Volkswagen ID Buzz concept
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Volkswagen ID Buzz concept
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Volkswagen ID Buzz concept
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At the Chevrolet booth
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At the Toyota booth
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At the Chevrolet booth
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Sarah Gao poses for a picture beneath a Ford GT.
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Two attendees view a virtual reality movie, “The Future of Tomorrow.”
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Girls’ Pit Stop in the Garage at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
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A man walks around the Burning Rubber store area in the Garage at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
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The Prestone custom car display in the Garage.
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Custom cars on display in the Garage.
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Lance Chikasawa walks past the Prestone custom car display in the Garage.
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Bicycles on display at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show.
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GMC Sierra all-mountain concept
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The new Kia Sorento
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Kia unveils the 2019 Sorento.
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Honda Clarity
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The Mitsubishi booth
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Jesus Gonzalez details cars in the Galpin Hall of Customs.
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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
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Cars on display at the Kia booth.
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A Ford racing driver made out of Lego blocks.
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The Volvo booth
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The Chevrolet Corvette ZR01.
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The Chevrolet Corvette ZR01.
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The 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition
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The 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition
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The 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) What’s your favorite weekend or summer holiday drive?
Living in Southern California means I have access to some wonderful driving roads, including Ortega Highway, Angeles Crest Highway and some of the back roads from San Diego to Palm Springs. And since I also have access to the new Stinger, I can sample those roads in a very capable performance sedan.
In what country, or in what area of this country, are the best roads for driving?
I’ve got family in New Mexico, and there are some amazing roads to be found in that neck of the woods.
What’s the top speed you’ve ever traveled in a car, and where did that take place?
160 mph in Japan (Skyline GTR while working at Nissan).
What’s the most exciting change currently at work in the automotive industry?
Autonomous technology and electrification.
The LA Auto Show runs Dec. 1-10 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Times coverage is at latimes.com/autos.
charles.fleming@latimes.com
@misterfleming
