We asked executives in town for the L.A. Auto Show to share some thoughts about cars, driving and the future of mobility. Here’s what we learned from Toyota North America Vice President Lisa Materazzo.
What historic car or truck do you wish you owned?
A 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 coupe.
What’s your favorite weekend or summer holiday drive?
Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
If the future offered flawless autonomous driving, would you still keep a car for weekend driving?
Absolutely! For me, driving is a transformative experience that’s about more than the destination. It’s about freedom, independence and excitement.
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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
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What’s the top speed you’ve ever traveled in a car, and where did that take place?
About 170 mph in a NASCAR ride-along at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
What’s the most exciting change currently at work in the automotive industry?
Advancements in connected technologies that make driving safer, more convenient and seamless.
What current motorized vehicle (made by some other company than your own) do you particularly admire?
Charles Fleming writes about automobiles and motorcycles for the Los Angeles Times’ Business section. He also writes the urban hiking column LA Walks. A former staff writer for Newsweek, Variety and the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, he is the author of the Los Angeles Times bestseller “High Concept: Don Simpson and the Hollywood Culture of Excess,” the New York Times bestseller “My Lobotomy,” and “Secret Stairs, A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles” and its sequel, “Secret Walks: A Walking Guide to the Hidden Trails of Los Angeles.”
